A WOUNDED Scots serviceman has made it over the finishing line of the world's toughest cycle races in half the time his team expected.

Private Steven Richardson, 22, from Tranent, East Lothian, was among the eight-strong team of injured forces personnel who endured temperatures of up to 45C in the Race Across America.

The group, who raised thousands of pounds for the Help for Heroes veterans charity, completed the 3000-mile cycle ride from California to Maryland two days ahead of schedule.

They had expected to take up to nine days to complete the gruelling course.

The team comprised four double amputees, including Pte Richardson, on hand bikes plus four upright cyclists.

Pte Richardson and the other servicemen between them cycled through 12 states, 24 hours a day, at an average speed of 17.4mph and a total cumulative climb of more than 100,000 vertical feet.

They pedalled between 350 and 500 miles each day over a distance that is 30% longer the route of the Tour de France – and completed in roughly half the time.

Pte Richardson, who lost both of his legs when he stood on an improvised explosive device while fighting in Nad-e Ali, Afghanistan, said before setting off that "it was good to have something to focus on, the chance to prove to others and myself that I can do it."

An 18-strong support crew made up of mechanics, physiotherapists, medics, drivers and navigators both military and civilian supported them.

It was the first time a British military wounded team had competed in the race, which began in 1982, and they were up against both professional and amateur cyclists, as well as a team of wounded US servicemen.