Power of two: Markham (left) and Springer ©Easy Racers

Even if Double Gold Rush performs to his expectations, Markham has to consider his own performance levels. Now aged 44, he openly admits he may be past it.

"I've been a little out of it and I have crummy fitness compared to what I used to be, even when I retired from professional cycling [in 1995]. I just don't have the horsepower myself to make an attempt on my own. But I can still ride events now and then and get a pretty good time. And I have a tandem that's fast and it's going to have about the same horsepower as we had when we set the records earlier.

"The tandem has already been up to 107kph/67mph on a bad attempt at night, so I know it has 112kph/70mph in it on a course that isn't as good as the one we're going to be racing on. I'll be even more encouraged after this weekend when we've made a couple more practice runs."

"In the last three months I've been riding more than in the last five years, and I've still got another month to get going. The guy I've got in the back seat is definitely going to have more power than the time I had Sam Whittingham in the back seat."

His partner at the World Human Powered Speed Challenge will be 41-year-old Chris Springer, who was formerly on the national cycling team with Markham and narrowly missed the US pursuit cycling team for the Sydney Olympics.

As for his rivals, Markham regards the current record holder, Canadian Sam Whittingham, as the man to beat.

"I think his chances are excellent. He's still on the way up and he's getting stronger every year. In fact, I think he has the edge right now. He's got the vehicle, he's very fit and he knows that machine inside-out, which means a lot. I think he'll go faster than last year."

 

Queally: Fastest man?

Queally, too, elicits a sense of respect from Markham.

"Queally is the type of rider, with a kilometer background, that I have already said excels in HPV racing. The match will fit him like a glove."

However, the riders are only allowed one run per day for the five days of the event. Inclement weather may reduce this even further. As Markham points out: "This could hurt Queally the most because he's the one who doesn't have a lot of experience in HPVs."

"I've also seen formidable bicycle racers get in an HPV and maybe not make it go as quick as it should because they're not 100 percent focused.

"But I haven't seen Queally's vehicle and I would never underestimate anyone who's as accomplished and as good as he is.

"I like his chances and I'm sure he's going to make his vehicle rock because of his horsepower. Unless there's a flaw in that vehicle, I think he'll be very impressive. I like his chances a hell of a lot better than I like Weaver's."