Curran's bid fails

THORNABY'S Paul Curran, riding for Manchester Whs, failed in his bid to record a hat trick of wins in the Girvan three-day event.

Despite close marking from other teams in the early stages, Curran managed to salvage fifth position overall after a magnificent solo ride over the closing 30 miles.

Overall, Curran finished 1min 58sec behind race winner Martin Coll (Scotland B) with Norris seventh at 2min 58sec and the Centre of Excellence fielding the fifth team.

This weekend Curran and Norris ride the second counting event for the Star Trophy competition, the Wincanton Wheels International at Beaconsfield.

Stage 2

After finishing 15th on the first stage, 35 seconds adrift, Curran and team mate Deno Davie dominated the evening circuit race and in a magnificent last lap burst, Davie just took the verdict from Curran.

1. Deno Davie (Manchester Whs)
2. Paul Curran (Manchester Whs)

Stage 3

Starting the third stage, Curran was lying 13th overall with North-East Centre of Excellence rider Ian Norris 17th. Davie crashed out early on and Curran missed the break on the Meikehill prime when Chesterfield's Phil Bateman and Nottingham's Andy Hurford led from Norris and Oldham's Mike Bell.

Nine other riders joined the leading four with Curran still captive in the bunch.

Bateman split the leaders into two groups, five miles from the finish with Norris in the second group of five. Norris finished tenth with team mate Andrew Lowe ninth.

Stage 4

Norris started the last stage 1min 19sec down on race leader Bateman, in fourth position, and Curran was 19th at 4min 15sec.

Centre of Excellence rider Jeff Wright took second place on the Glenalla prime on the last stage.

As the bunch started the second ascent of Bynehill, Curran attacked at the same moment the yellow jersey punctured. Nobody could go with Curran and he dropped the leaders to win the last stage alone, 1min 26sec up on the next breakaway group of seven riders and 3min 41sec on the bunch.

1. Paul Curran (Manchester Whs)

Final Overall

1. Martin Coll (Scotland B)
5. Paul Curran (Manchester Whs)