Son rides with his late dad’s race number in prestigious challenge

A SON has completed a cycling event in honour of his late father, who had signed up to take part before tragically passing away in the summer.

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

On Sunday, September 7, Matt Holmes, 31 from Thulston, honoured his father, Ivan, by completing the Tour de 4 cycle event in Scotland - riding with his dad’s race number pinned to his bike and his name proudly placed on his back.

Ivan, who died in July at the age of 60, had been determined to take part in the event despite being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last year.

A fit and active man, he had drawn inspiration from Sir Chris Hoy’s memoir All That Matters, which encouraged him to focus not on his diagnosis, but on what was still possible.

Tragically, Ivan collapsed in July and died just days later from a haemorrhagic stroke, surrounded by his family.

His sudden death left a space on the Tour de 4 start line that his son, Matt, stepped forward to fill.