31-Jul-89
31-Jul-89
Cleveland Grand Prix |
After recent problems with a strained shin, Doyle was undoubtedly on top of the situation and won almost at will. He missed out on the first 8 kilometre when local hero Paul Curran slipped away with Percy Bilton team-mate Jon Walshaw to take the honours, with Michael Borman (VC Nottingham) taking the sprint for third.
Chris Boardman was also up with winner Tony Doyle in the second big-field Devil; Sturgess having won the first with a lone breakaway that looked remarkably like a pursuit training run. Doyle won a nonsensical match sprint scheduled for the two Devil winners, but there was nothing non-sensical about the 47 points he took to win the Hospitality Inn 30-lap race from Sturgess (20) and Curran (16).
Sturgess decided he could do without such company in the McLean Homes 8-km. and took off alone for victory, with amateur Chris Pyatt (Stoke AC) outsprinting Malcolm Elliott (Teka), Kevin Byers (Alpha Chafes) and Doyle for second.
So it was down to the major Cleveland GP 20-km scratch for the grand finale. There was plenty of incentive with £250 to the winner and four £50 primes, but professional pride is the main incentive for Doyle. After Alastair Wood (PCA) and Curran had taken the first two primes, Doyle took the third and was away at the halfway point with Curran and local boy Andrew Chatterton (Hartlepool).
The young amateur who left this week for Belgium for his first ride in a GB vest in a road event took his opportunity and did his share of the work. They soon.had a lead of half a lap and despite chases, particularly an impressive whole lap by Malcolm Elliott which pulled back 70 metres, they always looked in command.
It was fast enough to take the event record in 25-51, nearly a minute faster than when Phil Thomas won last year. Doyle was the winner and he was the first to a hat-trick in this 13th edition.
It was a fitting end to two and a half days racing splendidly supported by Cleveland County Council on the track where they will host the world junior championships next year. Prizes were at levels to which most organisers only aspire.
1. Tony Doyle (Ever-Ready)
2. P. Curran (Percy Bilton)
3. A. Chatterton (Hartlepool CC)
1. P. Curran (Percy Bilton)
2. J. Walshaw (Percy Bilton)
3. M. Borman (VC Nottingham)
1. Tony Doyle (Ever-Ready) 47 points
2. C. Sturgess (ADR) 20
3. P. Curran (Percy Bilton) 16