RAAM update: Robic hits the front on day two

The Race Across America riders were treated to a hot night of strong tailwinds last night as the men endured their first night in the saddle and the women their second. Some riders were coming in more than an hour ahead of schedule thanks to the push from the wind, although others struggled with the overnight heat. It's not going to get any easier today as the soloists tackle the brutal Arizona summer, with temperatures expected to soar over 100°F. That might narrow the field a bit; so far only Scott Dakus (USA) has dropped out.

Four-time winner Jure Robic (SLO) is looking immensely strong again this year. The latest splits from Time Station 11 show that he's over three hours up on second placed Gerhard Gulewicz (AUT). Mark Pattinson (USA) lies in third, he's yet to arrive at TS11.

In the women's race there's a whole time station (about 70 miles) separating first and second, with Michele Santilhano (RSA) hitting TS14 after 2 days, 9 hours and 56 minutes exactly as second-placed Barbara Buatois (FRA) was rolling into TS13

In the men's vets category – the only solo race to feature a UK rider – Paul Carpenter is still very much in the mix. He's lying in third place but only six minutes off the leader Gregor Komescher (GER) with Timothy Woudenberg (USA) between them on the road just a minute behind the front man.

In the Race Across the West, which runs as far as Durango, Colorado, fixed rider Terry Lansdell is currently running in second place as he looks to set a new world record for the longest fixed gear time trial. At the last time check he was 482 miles in and averaging 14.35mph. not bad for a single gear...