Survival of the fitness and adapted to your environment - that's what these two riders are both doing in their own necessary individual ways.
If recumbents are allowed - that's the way it is, get over it. It's hardly Florida, and it could get boring, but Steve could of course be using one up and down the flatlands of Lincolnshire later in the spring/summer had he so desired, but like I said earlier, I doubt the thought crossed his mind. He's just doesn't seem interested. But this option is open to him too.
The only way to get a level playing field is to ride the same bikes, on the same roads in the same country and the same day at the same times, eat the same food, sleep the same hours....and on and on. Otherwise - there will always be disparities - if you want to find them.