1-Mar-81
1-Mar-81
| Porthole Grand Prix |
STOCKTON WHEELERS' track international Paul Curran opened his season against the watch amongst the prize winners when he finished runner-up in the Kent Valley RC's Porthole Grand Prix 25-mile hilly time trial on Sunday.
Curran, whose early preparation has been geared towards a season in top class track competition, fought his way around the course which skirted Lake Windermere, in the cold wet conditions to record a 1-4-15 performance.
Olympic roadman Manchester wheeler Jeff Williams won the event decisively when he covered the testing terrain in a course record time of 1-2-27, reducing the previous best by 1min 22sec.
A regular on local courses in recent seasons, Border City wheeler Alan Miller finished third of the good class field of 118 with a time of 1-5-22, while Cleveley's RC demonstrated their continuing strength in depth by carrying off the team award.
After missing most of last year's competition Richmond and Darlington CC's Ian Lowe opened his season early by taking the award for the fastest junior rider in the Windermere event with his 1-11-13 performance.
Curran, who earned his first full international selection for Great Britain in San Sebastian during the Europa Cup match, has already laid the groundwork for a season which should bring further recognition.
The Stockton wheeler holds the British Cycling Federation's Cleveland divisional pursuit and sprint titles and figured prominently in the Road Time Trial Council's national Best All rounder as a junior while also gaining championship medals in the British Cycling Federation's national championships.
Twice already this year Curran has travelled to Calshot to train on the country's only permanent indoor track.
1. Jeff Williams (Manchester Whs) 1-2-27 (course record)
2. Paul Curran (Stockton Whs) 1-4-15
3. Alan Miller (Border City Whs) 1-5-22