MANCHESTER WHEELERS GRAND PRIX

Charlesworth's GP

JOHN Charlesworth (Ace RT-Peugeot) proved that his Lincoln GP victory was no fluke by taking the latest Star Trophy race, the 110-mile Manchester Wheelers Grand Prix at Buxton on Sunday.

Once again, he scored at the expense of John Tanner (Dinnington RC), but whereas at Lincoln the gap had been a healthy 26 seconds, this time it was down to an inches verdict.

The two were well clear of the field as they turned into the Waterswallows Lane finish. Tanner jumped hard at the yellow flag, went down the right hand gutter and opened a gap of almost three lengths, only for Charlesworth to come back to steal the race on the line.

Tanner clearly thought that he had the race won. 'I am gutted - I just can't believe it,' he said.

'I thought I had jumped him. I could have done with a 12 sprocket really - I was just on a 13.'

Charlesworth sprinted on his 12 sprocket, saying afterwards: 'I left it as late as I could, because I knew it was slightly downhill. John did a really good ride because he was driving it more than me.

'I was shattered after the Isle of Man and suffered all day, but I got something in the end.'

Charlesworth, Tanner and his Dinnington RC team-mate Paul Curran had escaped before the fifth and final climb of Bradwell Hill but it was soon obvious that the normally workaholic Curran could not on this occasion share the pace making.

He followed the wheels of Charlesworth and Tanner over the summit of the climb but was dropped soon after the leaders left the circuit for the 10-mile run back to Buxton.

Nevertheless, Curran - who eventually finished 13th and described the race as '12 miles too long for me' - could be happy with his performance in his first major test after a lay-off with pneumonia.

Third place, at 36 seconds, went to another Dinnington RC member, Wayne Randle, who had slipped away from a group of some 17 riders at Sparrowpit with four miles to go.

Thirteen seconds later Mark McKay (CC Luton) outsprinted Andrew Perks (Royal Sutton CC) and Ian Wright (Invicta RC) for fourth place.

Simeon Hempsall (GS Strada) the winner of the last two editions of this race - which was previously known as the Shell Grand Prix - led in a pack of 14 riders to take seventh place, at 63 seconds.

It was quickly apparent that this was to be a highly competitive race, with nine riders gaining a 200-yard lead after only two miles.

As they were caught a break of six went clear, gaining 34 seconds, but they were back in the fold with 10 miles covered as the race started the first of five laps of an 18-mile circuit.

With 26 miles covered in the first hour, Michael Smith (Tyne Velo) held a 20-second lead over Sean McVitty (Stars and Stripes), with the bunch at 32 seconds, but the pair were swept up on the first climb of Bradwell Hill.

A serious looking break of nine riders developed on the descent of Middleton Dale. Mark McKay was there, as was Star Trophy leader Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC), Wayne Randle, John Tanner, Mark Reed (Ribble Valley CRC), Paul Panton (VC St Raphael), Dominic Sweeney (Invicta CC), Robert Harris (Clifton CC) and Robert Sharrock (Stoke AC).

Despite working well together and gaining some 23 seconds it was all back together again with 45 miles covered, largely due to the chasing efforts of Simeon Hempsall.

After 52 miles covered in two hours it was the turn of Deno Davie to show off his Ace RT colours at the front.

As Davie was reeled in, team-mate John Charlesworth went clear, taking with him Gordon Kemp (Dinnington RC), Ian Wright, and the oldest man in the race 39-year-old Vinny Smith (Horwich CC).

Charlesworth was especially impressive in this break, sitting rock steady on the bike and powering the break to a maximum advantage of 54 seconds, only to be caught on Bradwell Hill by a group of some 20 riders.

Simeon Hempsall - no doubt spurred on by the presence of Yorkshire TV, who were preparing a feature on the Sheffield rider - went clear with Richard Edwards (Letchworth Velo). With Hempsall doing the lion's share of the work, the duo had gained 42 seconds by Hathersage, but with 77 miles covered in three hours their lead was falling and they were caught as Robert Harris led over the summit.

With 20 miles remaining, 23 riders were still in contention. Then came the surprise news that Star Trophy leader Lovatt was one of three riders who had been dropped.

Maybe it was this news which inspired what was to be the winning move by Charlesworth, Tanner and Curran.

Charlesworth moves to the head of the Star Trophy standings on a provisional update, with 32 points. Mark Lovatt and John Tanner now tie for second place with 31 points each, while Mark McKay moves up to fourth with 23.

RESULTS

1. John Charlesworth (Ace RT-Peugeot) 110m in 4-23-16
2. J. Tanner (Dinnington RC) st
3. W. Randle (Dinnington RC) at 36sec
4. M. McKay (CC Luton) at 49sec
5. A. Perks (Royal Sutton CC)
6. I. Wright (Invicta RC) all st
7. S. Hempsall (GS Strada) at 1-03
8. M. Harrison (Congleton CC)
9. D. Cook (Ferryhill Wh)
10. P. Rogers (VC St Raphael)
11. S. Bowering (Calder Clarion)
12. R. Harris (Clifton CC)
13. P. Curran (Dinnington RC)
14. R. Binks (Huddersfield RC)
15. K. Brennan (Paragon RT)
16. I. Gilkes (Wembley RC)
17. R. Edwards (Letchworth Velo)
18. T. Hall (Ace RT)
19. R. Langley (Solihull CC)
20. D. Sweeney (Invicta CC).

King of the Mountains.- Mark McKay 13pts; 2, R. Harris 9pts; 3, R. Langley 5pts.