Wheelers show the way

The second event in the CC Abergavenny Olympic selection team time trial series took place on Saturday afternoon. Three Great Britain squads were given a comprehensive going over by the Manchester Wheelers trio of Paul Curran, Peter Longbottom and Chris Boardman who powered round the 50 kilometres in 1-2-17.

Whether their thoughts were on finishing as soon as possible to make it to the Isle of Man ferry or simply on winning in style is unclear, but they made a hugely impressive sight and could have probably been covered by a single size blanket at any point in the ride. Leading from the first check after three miles, the trio were a minute clear at halfway (30-53).

National coach Doug Dailey had given all squad riders, including Curran and Co. a workout on the circuit, which was covered twice during the event, 24 hours earlier. Tim Schools and Neil Hoban were drafted from their club teams to complete the selections.

Apart from the Wheelers, best club team was the impressive young line-up from the Solihull CC. Richard Evans, Gary Chapman and Bob Langley proving just quicker than the Olympic B team.

The juniors and women also had productive afternoons. Buckley Trophy leader Gareth Gimson lead the junior squad to a fine 1-5-32. Clare Greenwood, riding in the faster women's team had the double satisfaction of posting a better time than the male team entered by her club.

RESULTS

Manchester Wh.Trumanns (Paul Curran, Peter Longbottom, Chris Boardman) 1 2 17
GB Olympic "A" (H. Lodge, D. Spencer, M. Gornall) 1 4 11
GB Olympic "C" (B. Luckwell, N. Noble, T. Schools) 1 4 57
Solihull CC "A" (R. Evans, R. Langley, G. Chapman) 1 5 10
GB Olympic "B" (S. Cope, P. Bateman, N. Hoban) 1 5 19
Yorkshire & Humberside C of E. (P. Sheard, J.Ward,W.Randle) 1 6 14
Dinnington RC (N. Miller, P. Dennis, P. Merren) 1 6 59
Solihull CC "B" (M. Norman, S. Tonge, S. York) 1 7 9
Coldra RC (C. McMillan, N. Hughes, K. Jones) 1 7 9
CC Rowland (N. Giles, M. Fell, A. Biggar) 1 7 35

Women. - Gt Britain "C" (Clare Greenwood, Maria Blower, Linda Gornall, Lisa Brambani) 1-11-12; 2, Gt Britain "B" (T. Coltman, J. Painter, K. Miles, S. Beech) 1-13-12.
Juniors. - BCF Selection (Richard Hughes, Scott O'Brien, Paul Barratt, Gareth Gimson) 1-5-32; BCF
Wessex Div. (D. Hobson M. Coombes, M. Staden, D. Breasher) 1-12-0

STUART STANTON