Pan Celtic Ultra Series 2024 ~The Magnum Opus Official Race Film~

One film – Two races

The Magnum Opus – Following 55 hardy souls on their Magnum Opus journey, each would complete 3 mandatory parcours across Alba (Scotland), Breton (Brittany), Eire (Ireland), Cymru (Wales) and Kernow (Cornwall) en route to the Isle of Man. Once here, they would join up with their fellow Ultra Clan mates to tackle the Pan Celtic Ultra 2024 where they would ride the predetermined route to Inverness and finish where it all began way back in 2019.
Who will claim the champion of champions title, a race born across 5 events leading to this singularity. The Magnum Ne Plus Ultra.

The Pan Celtic Ultra 2024 – 200 plus Clan mates embarking on one last hurrah in our bid to race across each of the home Celtic nations. The race begins to unfold across the infamous TT circuit known as the Isle of Man, before a neutralised crossing to England and a race to Inverness for glory.

You heard our calling and you came.

An té a bhíónn siúlach, bíonn scéalach.

We who travel have stories to tell.

Directed, filmed and edited by Friction Collective

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So this is it, the very last race in the series. [Music] And what a journey we have been on. The highs and the lows. Hundreds of thousands of miles have passed beneath our tires. And as our chain lube runs dry, our inner tubes deflate and our bottles empty. The very last chapter of the panceltic race comes to a close Heat up here. [Music] starring the clan of 2024. This is the Panceltic Magnum Opus. Our greatest work so far. This year’s full route was 1,426 mi with 84,630 ft of climbing. The short route was 1,145 mi with 67,743 ft. With each Magnumopus being unique and depending on the route chosen, our Magnumopus riders would ride approximately 2,000 miles with around 150,000 ft of climbing. Hey, look who it is. It’s me, the Chief. And I’m in a bath. Why? Because if Margot Robbie can explain the housing crash from the film The Big Short from her bath, then I can explain to you what the Magnumopus is from my bath. So, what is a magnumopus? Well, basically, it’s Latin and it means our greatest work, which is exactly what this one is. It’s our most biggest, our most boldest, our most ridiculous pancelic race yet. A final chapter, a swan song. The fever dream of somebody who thought this was going to be a good idea. Here’s how it works. You get to pick one of five Celtic nations to start from. Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cormal, or Britany. Each one has three fixed sections. We call them parkours. You ride them on your own in order. No shortcuts, no support, no excuses. Your goal, reach the island of man by July the 6th. Take on the time trial around the TT course. Yes, that TT course. And then you merge into the main race like you haven’t already just ridden through numerous countries with over a,000 miles already in the legs. And yes, there is a winner. Not just for one part, but both. Whoever clocks the shortest time across their Magnum Opus route and the main pancotic race takes the crown. The champion of champions, the Magnum Equests. It’s not just about riding far, it’s about riding far fast. There’s no prizes, no podiums, just a thousand yard stare and stories you’ll dine out on for years to come. We’ll never run this one again because you never repeat a magnumopus. You ride it, you survive it, you wear it like a scar. Got it. Good. Now, if you don’t mind, I got two brews to finish off here. So, please [ __ ] off. All right, here it is. This is the official start of the Magnum Opus Kerno from Land’s End all the way to Isisle of Man. Magnumopus riders were allowed to begin their ride 10 days prior to the Panceltic Ultra 2024. This is it. Made it to Land’s End, giving them ample time to complete their additional thousand plus miles. Alex Boswell, Cap 100, reporting for duty. boy. However, once started, their own personal clock would not stop until 6:00 p.m. at the close of sign on. And with lowest aggregate time determining their overall position, the later they leave, the better their chances. I had so much fun racing for the ferry. I just freaking went for it. A few of the more daring riders would give themselves 3 to four days to complete their mandatory parkour. and Celtic day four. Uh 101 miles done now today. While only the insane would leave two and a bit days to arrive upon the aisle of man in time. Craig Nielson left later than anyone believed possible, leaving everyone guessing as to whether or not he’d make it in time. Here we are at checkpoint two. They said they couldn’t it couldn’t be done. 600k just over 24 hours. Leaves me 24 hours to cover the last 450k. That’s not even 20 kph. That’s not even 19 kph. Right. With all the Magnumopus riders safely arriving before the cutoff, they join the rest of their fellow clan mates ready to start the first stage of the Panceltic Ultra 2024. a 100mile time trial at the home of the world famous motorcycle TT. Ride around the island and I’ll see you on the ferry. All right. The race around the aisle of man would begin in the evening with riders facing the added challenge of racing through the night in the dark with the pressure of catching the only ferry available early on Sunday morning. [Music] [Music] The aisle of man is famed for the worldrenowned time trial and the roads free from speed restrictions would give riders a taste of the rapid racing etched along checkered curb sides. [Music] As the weather slowly turned with rain, wind, and thick mist blowing across the route, riders lights could be seen across the island as they flickered in and out of view. [Music] Ultra [Music] riders David Scott and Chris McNorton would lay down the markers as the fastest riders to complete the TT with close rival Josh Reed not far behind. It’s uh it’s hard in the dark, is it? It’s the concentrating stuff. It’s a different ball game like Yeah. I like the way it’s patterned on your socks. It’s like tie-dye in it. Oh, I’m tired, man. I’m just tired, bro. Like, I’ve been chilling it. I’ve literally just been like just relaxing and cuz my blood sugar levels, they literally like crash between like between the times of like 3:00 and 5:00 in the morning. Like it’s basically like the graveyard shift for everyone. Yeah. I was like this going to be chill a nice 100 miles around the island, man. Oh my goodness. All of a sudden it was like bam bam bam. Brutal. That’s my impression of the time. Rachel Nolan proved to be the quickest woman, followed closely by Kirsty Bramley and Fiona Sharp. As with our Ultra 2022, where riders crossed from South Wales to Ireland, the clan of 2024 would again experience a neutralized crossing from Douglas to Haitian, where the next leg of the adventure would begin. Here [Music] we gathered one last time as a clan to ignite the final stage in a race for the ages. The Ultra 2024 would bring down the curtain on a series of races that began way back in 2019 and finish where it all started. The race to win Vanesse was on. [Music] [Music] Immediately setting the tone, Dave Scott and Josh Reed took to the front of the ultra race. Chris McNorton keeping pace with the savagely steep Lake District passes lying in weight. So brutal. First one fully legs were gone and that was just like game over. Can’t believe I’m pushing a bike up a hill. First time for everything. As the light faded and the glorious landscapes of Cumbria became enveloped in a soft warming golden hour, the clan would be welcomed into the evening with some of the toughest climbing found on these shores. You can thank the chief Matt Ryan for the inclusion of the barbaric rhinos pass swiftly followed by Hardnot. Just plain mean if you ask me. Rachel Nolan pushed hard with a smile on her face as she battled those around her to show that she was here to compete in the overall standings having already taken the overall win on transatlantic way. Could she repeat the feat on this our final Panceltic Ultra 2024? Alex Boswell, having endured some miserable luck in previous editions, was keen to finally add a win to his impressive performances over these last few years. And although having already completed the first leg of the Magnumopus was keeping pace with the leaders of the Ultra and constantly chipping away at the lead held by Craig Nelson. No, that was [ __ ] brutal. Like I’m again not afraid to say that I walk most of that that bit on the on the second one. The second one’s even worse than the [ __ ] worst one. The first one. Yeah. No, I did not enjoy that. Um I’ve very very tired but is riding frustratingly strong. I think he’s going to break. I Yeah, he can’t. He’s his eyes. You can see how tired he is in his eyes. So great. Make a prediction for us. Come on. At what point is the race going to flip on its head? Because at the moment’s got it there as he is in his hand. Yeah. It’s his gift. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And is he going to keep it to himself? Well, he’s not going to give it away, is he? Play that. But like whether he can ride through the night like Neil and I might be able to for the next few nights or whatever. What’s your plan from here then? Uh well, I’m planning on running through the night tonight. Yeah. Um have a mean that could put you in a good place in my weakness. Rock on. He kind of slept much. He hasn’t slept at all. [ __ ] hell. He’s asking for trouble. Been driving right next to this. He hasn’t slept one bit. No. And he just literally stopped here for 10 minutes. 5 minutes. Okay. Interestingly, we found that our main protagonists racing the Ultra were using completely different tactics this year. Dave Scott opted to take advantage of staying in hotels and sleeping well, enabling him to ride faster during the day. Carrying minimal equipment also meant that he was traveling far lighter than anyone else and enjoying much faster average speeds as a result. How you feeling, mate? Yeah, good. uh got um 3 and 1 half hours sleep at Cockmouth, but I arrived about 20 minutes or half an hour later than I thought I was going to cuz we got sent up a bridal wave that was about 4 miles long and I had to walk most of it. [ __ ] nuts. Josh Reed and Chris McNorton, on the other hand, were carrying all of the equipment they needed, riding through the nights on minimal sleep and enjoying the benefits of riding more miles, but at a slower pace. You said you were going to stop. You thought you were going to have a sleep at checkpoint, weren’t you? I thought I was, but I wanted to be out of sight, out of mind. I didn’t want anyone to see me. I don’t think anyone’s left the checkpoint yet. I’ve got quite a bit of a lead. I think people have had sleep, but I’ve got four vegans off roll, so who’s really winning? Which of these tactics would be most successful is always an interesting watch. I was taking you stirred from a dream. You were not yet awaken. I knew this feeling would stay away. [Music] Some things in life you can be certain. Like birds in healing who keep returning. I’ll fly across the ocean and never lose my way. Simone Ed and Taylor Doyle left almost 20 hours apart, lighting the blue touch paper on an old rivalry that would begin an epic battle over the coming 10 days. Taylor Doyle, having already had shifter issues during her Magnum Opus first leg, stepped on her mobile phone while climbing out of her bivvie bag, allowing Simone to add a little pressure as she started chipping into the lead held by Taylor. It was first my shifter mic cassette. Yeah. On Kerno. No. Then it was a new phone. Brand new phone. And then today in air, I thought it would be a new wahoo. And then after 2 hours of it overheating, it started charging again. So, but also, but also I I’m basically in two minds about what to do cuz I haven’t looked at the tracker since this morning, but I know that I am just so behind. But I don’t want to look at it because I might just get really discouraged. Yeah, I’d love to catch up though. And I I don’t want the sort of like the race I’ve been racing to be sort of like over. Um yeah, I don’t know where Simone is though. She’s she’s obviously Yeah. the person I’m chasing, which is like it’s so fun to have Yeah. somebody so strong to be like chasing after like a carrot and to like wonder where she is. And it was like literally just yesterday that we were like doing this. So it’s quite sad that there’s a huge gap all of a sudden each other. Yeah. Simone Eda and Doyle, as she affectionately refers to her rival, continue to battle it out alongside Meg Davis, who with a carrot for a headlight, is keen to show her determination at this her first attempt at an ultra. Oh, yeah. The lake is incredible. I ordered a pizza on the descent. I was like, “Hello, can I Yeah, they were like, I can’t really hear you.” I was like, “Can I order a large margarita? [Music] I was like, “Jeff, glutenfree.” And they were like, “No.” It’s like, “Okay, no worries.” And it’s ready. I just turned up. I just have to get some cash. I haven’t actually looked at the track or anything yet. Um, but whenever I see someone on a head, I’m like, “No, I’m trying to keep I’m trying to trying to be good. Trying to trying to keep the heart rate down. What the What is that? This is my I don’t want to know what that’s for. Where did you just get that from? Like I think you just got it out the ground. You just dug it up. Everything looks like you’re covered in warm water. It’s really dirty actually. It’s a bit hairy as well. It is a bit dirty. Maybe I’ll wash it. The race heads north through Galloway Forest Park and into the Highlands true and proper. The majestic scenery and harsh unforgiving weather creating the stories of the panceltic race 2024 in I hated it in 2019 and I hate it now. Why? It’s slow. It’s painful. I’ve been doing it for hours. I pedal downhill as well as going uphill. It’s just endless. Do you know what? I’ll tell you something. I didn’t make the room. Well, point me that person. Matt Ryan, right? Well, he’s lucky because right now there were no toads. If there were toads, he’d have woken up with them in his pants. That would be the only way it could have been bloody worse. All I want right now is a cafe, a bakery, or a pub. I was always here to race it like um it’s always been my my thing with ultras I think as I’ve gotten older not I think myself as old coming to understand that actually there’s definitely an element of coming here to enjoy being with people um but I I enjoy both by racing it and still chat to people and meeting people and all this kind of thing and the social is a massive thing but um no it’s it’s racing for me that gives me something I can’t get elsewhere. So yeah, it was already a race and um yeah, I don’t know if they know they’re racing it or not, but as far as I’m concerned, everyone’s racing it. [Music] As the race passes over rest and be thankful and heads through the picturesque town of Inverari, Alex Boswell can wait no longer and makes his move to push on and put a distance between himself and the chasing Craig Nilson. The importance of winning the Magnumopus finally becoming clear. I passed Craig earlier. I wasn’t really expecting to and he was looking quite uncomfortable. So, I kind of thought I’m not. Let’s do a little dig. I’m feeling like I might make a bit of a a bit of a play for something. It’s either either something that Craig won’t follow or if he does he might regret it. It was at this point that we as race organizers felt the magnitude of this race. The last in the series, the Magnumopus year. 5 years of racing culminating here. And it was now obvious how badly people wanted this win. I think I’d love to win the MMO cuz that’s sort of the champions of champions, if you will. Pinnacle. The pinnacle. Yeah. Our most competitive year had sparked well and truly into life, and there was a fire in the belly of the riders we’d never seen up until this point. The tension was palpable. It’s that balance between getting enough sleep and not being so sleepy. your speed has gone down or you’re falling into the ditch. I know there’s another girl. There’s another girl in front. Uh I think I’m third lady at the moment looking at the map. Uh yeah, there’s some another lady in between me and Rachel. So yeah, that might be nice to be ahead of her tonight. [Applause] No, but I just I just feel like so unbelievably emotional doing it. Like, you know, having this much time to yourself is not something you get in life. And I think, you know, it’s it’s just really important for happiness, I feel, to be able to go away, not see anybody, sit with your own thoughts for a bit. So, so yeah. So, I I love it. And it’s it’s the only time I sort of will just have a little cry. And it’s not it’s not sad. It’s not, you know, it’s not coming from a place of of being broken. It’s coming from a place of just finding something in myself that I didn’t know was there before. So yeah, with the race round in the Mull of Kintire and once again rallying north, our clan of 24 would face the challenge of several timely ferry crossings. Firstly onto the aisle of Mull where rugged beauty meets barren chewed landscapes and nature takes center stage. Then back onto mainland Scotland and the undisturbed and remote Ardanamean Peninsula before a second set of crossings on and off the aisle of sky. This is where the race could be won or lost. All right, mate. I don’t know if I’m meant to tell you, but um for like your insurance, but I had another crash with a sheep before. Just ran out in the road and I touched the front brake and the bike just went. Anyway, my derailer is like I’ve got about five gears that actually work and I broke my phone. So, I haven’t had anything all day. Okay. Anyway, Josh has just realized he might not have a ferry. So, he’s in uh having a panic now. He’s in book one with the front of the ultra race changing hands often. We see Dave Scott resting at night and relinquishing his lead to Josh Reed who rides for longer hours. Dave riding faster than anyone else recaptures the lead during the day and a pattern begins to emerge as we see the pros and cons and their differing strategies playing out. I need to do some sweet talking. like every ferry is like being uh creamed out. Hopefully, it’s someone nice at the desk. So, you not got ferry booked? I didn’t know which one I was going to make. So, I just like didn’t want to risk booking one. In hindsight, I probably should have booked one. It’d be so demoralizing if after all this I’m stuck in But there’s no peries in the morning either. I think the the soonest one I can book is like 11:00. I think Dave got hit by a sheep. Every time he comes up to me, he always has a new story on how he fell off. [Laughter] How’s it been sort of been riding next to him? Oh, he’s so strong. He’s like he’s like a naturalb born hill climber. Dave and Josh, leaprogging constantly, would join one another and cross onto mull together. Their race would continue to excite. However, Dave’s strategy looked to be paying dividends. Obviously, it seems like it’s you between you and Dave. Now, have you got are you formulating a plan? I don’t know. Usually, I’d say go on the hills. Dave’s strong on the hills. Um I don’t know. Still, but he he he broke his phone. crashing with a sheep today. So he he can’t look see on the tracker. So I need to be able to get away with him without him noticing and then he doesn’t have a clue where I am. Bear in mind he’s not slept and he goes slower than me. I know, you know, if he’s averaging 13, I don’t think 200k at 13 mph takes a long time. So, so I’ve basically been basing my strategy off marking him the whole time, letting him kind of just beast himself. Yeah. And then just make sure I’m at the right place at the right time and reel it back in. Rachel Nolan continued to push everyone around her, maintaining a top 10 position and holding a commanding lead over the women’s field with Kirsty Bramley and Kellyanne making up the podium position. I got a food poison two days ago, so spent 24 hours not eating, but uh yeah, feeling good now. eating a little bit and yeah, enjoying the cooler weather as well [Music] on the Magnumopus. Alex’s attack following the descent of Rest and Be Thankful was proving to be decisive as he was able to push on to catch the last evening ferry onto Mull arriving just 15 minutes before its departure. It was it was very close to riding up to the boat. Can I come on? Can I come on? So, have you been graphing all day for it? Um, well, no, but the all afternoon. Yeah. Yeah, all afternoon. How do you feel for it now? Good. Uh, I feel pretty napped actually. So, I’m going to get some sleep in a minute. In terms of um Craig, it really does depend how long he takes to get here tomorrow. Because I suspect like me, he’ll underestimate how difficult that last section is cuz that was tough. This meant that he’d be able to rest before catching his next ferry and further enhancing Alex’s lead over Craig, who’d have to wait to catch his ferry the following morning, costing Craig time and putting him into a panic. Once more, the early herculean efforts of Craig’s Magnumopus first leg appearing to be taking their toll. Zoom in. Yeah, not bad. Can’t stop for long. I’ve got 4:00 fair. It’s fine. Um, you want to be on Sky tomorrow. Uh, everything is going off uh between 10 and 7. It’s going to be a a proper full on race. Ding-dong. Yeah. Why? Can have you got time to explain? So if Alex gets morning ferry Uhhuh. and I get the evening ferry Uhhuh. I lose 9 hours. If I don’t get the evening fair to the morning ferry, I lose 24 hours. Alex has won. So I’ve got to get that evening ferry. There’s also at least two other guys over here who’ve got their um reason for doing it as well. Anyway, I’m going to crack on. So what what’s the deal with the the Ah, yeah. Oh. So, you know how sometimes your leg warmers rub? Yeah. Is that what that is? Sort it out. Don’t leave it alone for two days. Um, having nothing on there will do it good though, will it? Yeah. Well, it does until you put I put some um leggings on this morning to go on the ferry and take them off and and ah the whole scab came off. So, it’s nice and clean now anyway. It’s been essentially waxed this morning. Um but yeah, if you see my little dot sat by the uh the hotel at 10 4 um you know just for camp 2 hours you’ll get some. The women’s magnumopus race saw Taylor lose more ground while fixing her mobile phone issue allowing Simone Ed to challenge for the overall lead. Things were hoting up across the entire field. Yeah. So, what position are you sitting in? I have no idea. Actually, there’s such a mess with pretty much four bottles after people switching to short roots. Participants taking me up on No, I only checked um Taylor. You only just Taylor. What’s your What is your strategy to beat her? Keep pedaling. Keep pedaling. Yeah. Yeah. It was hard. I was so tired. Thanks so much. So slow. So riding on the right side. Stopping. [Music] The aisle of sky has strong links with clan battles throughout the ages, echoing through time. And it would once again proved to be the rugged coastlines and mountainous terrain of sky that would see the clan battle of the panceltic race 24 take its biggest turn. [Applause] [Music] Chris McNorton had finally pushed himself into contention with a huge ride that joined him up with the race leaders on Sky, allowing for an action-packed penultimate day. So, do you think you can uh stay in contention tomorrow, do you reckon? I don’t know. That was never really the plan. I just wanted to consolidate fourth, but apparently uh I’m now somewhat in contention for maybe a little better than that. We’ll see how we get on. Ride for a few more hours. See how the evening goes. See what the weather does and hopefully uh making myself into a good position for tomorrow morning. Try and get that first ferry back off the island. Whether or not I’ll have the legs tomorrow is another matter, though. I feel like I’ve had to make up quite a lot of ground today. Yeah, making that ferry was absolutely key. That’s why I was in such a rush this morning. Yeah, I think it’s got everybody like, “Fuck, Chris is in contention.” In a race of this magnitude, it’s prudent to keep pushing forward no matter what. Anything could happen to those ahead of you, allowing you to gain places in the overall standings. [Music] Josh Reed would succumb to knee pain that meant keeping up with that relentless pace set by Dave Scott was no longer feasible. I almost just fully stacked it. Bit wobbly on the feet. I was not a happy bunny when my knee was playing up. It took me like I couldn’t climb. Like my lungs were fine, but I was just like I literally couldn’t stand out the out the saddle. And when you’ve been ridden 1,000 miles in like 4 days, it you kind of need to be out the saddle. It’s a bit painful to be sitting on the saddle the whole climb. Right. I might be honest, I might turn around if my knee is bad. [Music] Yeah. So, Taylor, what’s the uh what’s the current situation with the Magnum Open Magnum Opus women’s? current situation is I can still finish within um a time frame behind Simone. That means that my kerno performance puts me in front of her. If I if I get to the next ferry um before four, which yeah, the last one, I’ll be all right. Amazing. How’s that feel? Yeah, it feels good because it’s not I don’t have to break myself. I’ve kind of already done that. I just have to keep keep pedaling. Um, yeah, I had I had a wobble yesterday for sure. I was feeling rough and the sleep deprivation was messing with me, but um but yeah, as long as the weather stays like this and I just keep moving forward, um should should all pay off. I’m excited. So, uh do you know how you’re doing with Magnopus women? Yeah, I know. Taylor gets the fairy. I actually I hope she missed it, but it was quite tight. So, I think we will miss that sky. Really? Yeah, probably. How do you feel about that? Yeah, it’s just it’s a little bit of a bummer because it if she missed it, it would be my only chance to win. So, now it’s gone because she has 18 18 hours. Alex Boswell performed the perfect ride with each of his ferry crossings lining up perfectly, allowing him to catch the last ferry onto Sky, crucially leaving Craig Nielson behind and effectively winning Alex the Magnumopus, providing he could lap the island through the night and catch the first ferry early the next morning. Craig becomes obsessed with watching Alex’s dot and the race unfolding before his very eyes. I’m absolutely glued to his track cuz I looked this morning. I was like, “Oh, it’s, you know, it’s marginal. It’s marginal.” And I just do a math again and it’s like it’s less marginal. It’s less. So, so what are you so what are you thinking about today then? Punctious. I like a lot of them for him ideally. Um, what about yourself? You’ve so fixated on Boswell. I I don’t even matter at this point. I am completely be out of out of the story. No, it’s like you’ve got a day head start. I’ve got a day. But that goes almost immediately cuz he gets the ferry. I am one behind him and I’m what 15 hours behind him then. In the meantime, I might buy all the tickets to the 725 fair just in case. Um [ __ ] hell be available. So Oh, you know, if he’s going to make Roffus move, I’m going to make Ruth’s move. Craig Nelson was once again applying the maths to calculate what it all meant and what he’d now need to do to claim that crown he so desperately wanted. [Music] [Music] [Music] All Alex needed to do at this point was to lap the island through the night and catch the first ferry off sky. But the drama of previous years would once again catch up with Alex as he found himself wanting at a pivotal moment in the Magnumopus race. The efforts of the past week, those long days at high tempo proving too much this time around. He too needed to rest. The early morning ferry are crossing too far. He’s worried about you. What? Yes. yesterday when I slowed down. He was expecting to to see you blitz around the sky last night. Yeah. So was I. Yeah. Cuz cuz um I went to the the hostel and checked in and thought, you know, I’ll I’ll blitz around 10 hours back for a few hours, get up there for the first ferry, but I just completely just didn’t have any legs. Just had nothing. Just had nothing to give. Meanwhile, in the ultra race, Dave Scott, having had a full night’s rest and a good breakfast, headed to catch the ferry from Sky to Glenn Elg. Here, he’d learn that his only rival for the past week had succumbed to injury. There was a part of me that wanted me to like go with them for a bit, and I was just like, “No, be sensible, Josh. you’ve you’ve had a crack at it and your knee said no. So, listen to your body and um yeah, I might get a spa hotel tonight. That could be nice. Have a proper sleep. Like, I’ve not really been sleeping much cuz that’s kind of my tactic is lack of sleep and kind of just keep on going and not stopping too much. So, it might be nice to just like relax and enjoy where we are. We’re in Scotland. We’re going up Laknabar in a bit and yeah, it’s a pretty special part of the world. It’s nice to be spending it with the uh the short people and see a different perspective of the race. It’s not all about the the front end. It’s everyone included in the whole race. Like everyone’s on their own all on their own journey and um you don’t know what pain people are going through and everyone’s pushing to the limits and it’s good to see [Music] Scotland hadn’t finished with our clan of 2024 and the almighty Balak Nabar stood before them and a final sprint across the country to inveness. [Music] The race was still not run with Chris McNorton also arriving to throw a major spanner in his works. Dave, having no phone, had no measure of Chris or what he was capable of. Dave had not seen him out on the road up until this point. The final stage would indeed live up to its billing. The end’s in sight, which is always the nice thing. Pretty tired though cuz it was a decent start on Sky. So, got what 114k to go and I’ve done Oh, hang on. Where are we? 330 already. It’s going to be a big day. But, uh, it is a big day. Cracked a bit after Apple Cross. Like coming down got really cold. had stopped some food and a hot drink. Then that next section just absolutely ground to a halt, but seems to have come out the other side now. So, just trying to eat lots and keep tapping away. Chris briefly takes the overall lead as Dave strategically hides his bike while stopping for resupply. Another tactic in not affording his rival any small advantage. Chris would continue to ride toward the finish, not knowing where Dave was, giving Dave the opportunity to follow Chris for a while and give him and his riding style the once over crafty bastard. [Music] How are you feeling? Yeah, fine. Fine. Feel good. Just want to get a beer. Am I at the front? I’ll be telling. I think I am. I don’t know. I just want to get done. tired. I know. I got this hill and two more to do. In the final miles of the Panceltic Ultra 2024, Dave Scott would show just how talented a rider he is. Looking comfortable and strong as he rode into the finish in Invenesse with an outstanding time of 5 days, 15 hours, and 36 minutes. A huge win on his third attempt and a win welld deserved from a rider who rested properly throughout. Proving that excellent planning and good rest can pay dividends in the world of ultradistance racing. [Applause] Chris McNorton crossed the line just a couple of hours behind in second place. Another unbelievable ride. Oh, thank you. Thank you. The Magnumopus race was the culmination of five years traveling each Celtic nation on route to this our final installment. I mean, it’s been amazing. It’s been intense. It’s been epic. It’s been Yeah, it’s been It’s been fantastic. All those things I need to be. Having ridden approximately 2 and a half thousand miles over the past week, Alex Boswell crossed the finish line first. But it would be Craig Nilson with a lower total aggregate time who would take the overall win in the men’s magnumopus 2024. That’s the important bit. Save your eyes. Yeah. And you Craig’s mindboggling time of 6 days, 8 hours, and 27 minutes would beat Alex’s time of 6 days, 11 hours, and 17 minutes. Yeah. Otherwise, you’ll end up getting changed, going downtown, having a pine. You can add an extra day to his time if you want. No rush. No rush getting your card out. Yeah. Yeah, no rush. No rush. Just go and chill out. We’ll we’ll clean the bike. Yeah. In the river. Yeah, it was a hell of a ride, dude. Cheers, man. Likewise. Yeah. Cheers. I was not expecting you to make it off sky. No, I wasn’t either. I was like, I wouldn’t make it to other. Neither was I to be honest. I I basically running a consistent strategy of uh do something that no one thinks you can do. asked. Rachel Nolan finished sixth place overall and first in the women’s ultra race 2024 with an outstanding time of 6 days, 9 hours, and 4 minutes. Were you watching the dots at all? Were you just hanging along? No, I didn’t have a clue where the dots were. No, I don’t I don’t I try not to take out the phone. Kellyanne Spate followed in a time of 7 days, 16 hours, and 28 minutes to take second place in the women’s field overall. Happy to be finished. I’m glad we finished as a long 50k at the end. I’m so cooked. Yeah. But I’m so happy to be up here. Honestly, like I’m gonna have to thank Simone for this race. like if she wasn’t here, I wouldn’t have had the race that I had. Like it’s so so so awesome. She’s so strong and like I knew that the only way that I could really race her cuz she’s so such a strong rider was to was to gamble at the beginning. Despite having had to overcome many obstacles, Taylor Doyle’s decision to start the latest like Craig proved instrumental as she claimed the overall Magnum Opus Women’s Crown, beating Simone Ed into second place. Taylor finished the 2,000mi race in a time of 13 days, 1 hour, and 35 minutes. Simone the rocket eater finished in second place with an accumulated time of 13 days 9 hours and 9 minutes. We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our riders. 2024 was the year that saw so many individual races happening with the most competitive field to date. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of and to be able to watch firsthand the extraordinary exploits of such incredible yet humble people. We’re proud to be able to call our friends. I will love you. [Music] It’s day one. I can’t scratch after five [ __ ] miles. No, I will [Music] go. I’ll see you the other side. [Applause] Hey Matt, it’s Tuesday morning. Wednesday. Sun. Wednesday morning. Wednesday morning. It’s Wednesday. Well, I missed 24 hours at that bloody checkpoint. Eve just rides me off the horse cuz she’s got a wider body. That’s terrible. Makes me excited. [Music] Thank you. And action. It’s not just about right. I’m thick looking at his nipples. Let’s make real. [Music] [Laughter] I’m not going any further than that. [Applause] [Music]