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21-Apr-91

HOPE VALLEY CLASSIC

Boardman leaves them floundering

THE Chris Boardman story continues. As he goes from success to success his rivals must he wondering just what they can do to stop his domination of British racing after he won Sunday's Star Trophy Hope Valley Classic at Bishops Castle, in Shropshire.

The Manchester Wheelers-Trumanns Steel champion rode away from the country's best roadmen on the notorious, two-mile long Drum and Monkey climb to catch and drop lone leader Gethin Butler (Norwood Paragon) to ride the last 23 miles of the 95-mile race in triumphant progress.

Butler used his time trialling ability to the full to hang on to second place at a respectable 1-58, while double Commonwealth Games gold medallist and former professional Paul Curran beat fellow Manchester Wheeler Pete Longbottom for third place after the pair had put in a hard-riding effort over the last 10 miles.

It was left to Andrew Perks (Royal Sutton CC) to win the sprint for fifth place from Wayne Randle (Dinnington RC), Ian Wright (Invicta RC), Mark Gornall (Manchester Wheelers) and Steve Farrell Tunstall Wheelers) who finished in a 13-strong group that crossed the line in Bishops Castle 3-32 after Boardman.

The picturesque Shropshire countryside was an ideal backdrop for the Mid-Shropshire Wheelers promotion despite overcast skies and the threat of rain. Snow that had flecked the higher ground on Friday had gone and the race set off with a bang, with no running-in time allowed.

Before the climb out of Bishops Castle had finished a yellow jersey was sprinting from the front of the bunch. It was an on-form Neil Martin (Dinnington RC). He was joined by Paul Barrett (Paragon RT). William Mitchinson (Ashington RC), Ian Gilkes and Gary Foord, both Wemblev RC, Scott O'Brien (Manchester Wheelers) and Victor Slinn (Paragon RT).

Down the long run through Hope Valley the seven headed towards the sharp right turn to the days first prime on Snailbeach that was quickly followed by the second over Stiperstones, at Bergam Corner.

While the leaders toiled up the climbs Butler had escaped from the bunch and as Bergam Corner was reached Butler was on to them. A time check gave the Butler group 41 seconds lead as they made their way down the Hope Valley for the second time at 40mph.

By Pontsbury (26 miles) Butlers powerful riding had dragged the eight 1-40 clear of the bunch. Alarm bells were ringing for one rider at least.

Boardman. He was taking advantage of the flatter roads after the first climbs and with Matthew Postle (CC Abergavenny) for company he had cleared off from the hunch and was at 1-14.

Wayne Randle and Ian Wright tried to do the same but they were hauled back by the bunch, who were now nearly two minutes behind Butlers commando. Meanwhile Boardman and Postle were closing on the break and at Westburv were 42 seconds adrift.

Five others had managed to escape from the bunch. Mark Gornall, Andrew Hitchens (Bournemouth Arrow). Eric Rigby (Calder Clarion), Martin Maltby (Dinnington RC) and Simon Lillistone (Team Haverhill) as the race moved towards the second climb of Stiperstones.

Boardman and Postle closed on the leaders three miles before Stiperstones where Butler lifted the pace to take the prime (45 miles) and go clear as Mitchinson was dropped from the group.

At Bergam Corner the Norwood Paragon star led by 30 seconds as in the bunch, now labouring along at 2-33, Steve Farrell lost his chain as he changed gear on the climb.

Butler was going at his best, arms slightly bent as he heaved along at just under 40mph as the race moved towards the Drum and Monkey climb. On the undulations along the Minster1ey road Boardman's group of Obrien, Barrett, Gilkes, Slinn, Martin, Foord and Postle were caught by Mark Gornall, Hitchens, Rigby, Maltby, Lillistone and Hutchinson.

By now Butler was fighting his way up the Drum and Monkey, already on his small chainring and big rear sprocket. The road was just wide enough for a car and high hedges made it impossible to see far behind.

The important news came over the race radio. 'Boardman is chasing'. Butler fought on weaving up the near one-in-four sharp right-hander outside the Drum and Monkey Inn where spectators cheered him on.

Over the prime line Butler was timed 1-8 ahead of Boardman as he switched to top gear before sitting up to take a drink with 35 miles to go after his one-mile out-of-the-saddle effort.

It took Boardman 10 miles to catch Butler and with 69 miles covered the pair were 1-52 up the road from the nine-strong group with Mark Gornall, while Curran, Longbottom and Tim Hall (Ace RT) were at 2-24 and a 19-strong bunch at 2-54.

Boardman did not keep Butler company for long, a brief rest and the 25-mile champion jumped hard leaving Butler behind. In two miles Butler was 22 seconds in arrears, another mile and a hard-riding Butler grudgingly gave up another two seconds.

On the Bishops Castle finishing circuit with 20 miles remaining Boardman led by 26 seconds from Butler with the chasers, now joined by Curran, I.ongbottom and Hall at 2-26.

At the front Boardman remained unflustered, he asked for the odd time check on Butler and when told he had one minute permitted himself a smile as the news was relayed to him by national coach Doug Dailey , who had been closely following the action with team manager Bernie Burns.

Barring accidents it was all over as Boardman time trialled the final 10 miles to victory ahead of fellow tester Butler.

Paul Curran left his move too late. 'We were something like four minutes down before the Drum & Monkey, but we finished strongly. My legs were giving out but my mate Pete (Longbottom) helped over that bad patch,' he said.

RESULTS

1. CHRIS BOARDMAN (Manchester Wh-Trumanns Steel) 95m in 3-55-55
2. G. Butler (Norwood Paragon) at 1-58
3. P. Curran (Manchester Wh) at 2-50
4. P. Longbottom (Manchester Wh) st
5. A. Perks (Royal Sutton CC) at 3-32
6. W. Randle (Dinnington RC)
7. I. Wright (Invicta RC)
8. M. Gornall (Manchester Wh)
9. S. Farrell (Tunstall Wh)
10. A. Gornall (Manchester Wh)
11. R. Langley (Soihull CC)
12. S. Bray (Invicta RC)
13. N. Dunn (Paragon RT)
14. P. Rogers (VC St Raphael)
15. V. Slinn (Paragon RT)
16. P. Foley (Heron RC)
17. S. O'Brien (Manchester Wh)
18. T. Hall (Ace RT) all st
19. M. Jones (CC Abergavenny) at 4-51
20. A. Hitchens (Bournemouth Arrow) st.