Curran dominates in the Chilterns

DOMINATING throughout, double Commonwealth gold medallist Paul Curran (Dinnington RC-Neilson) led a northern triumph when he won Sunday's High Wycombe CC event over 100 hilly Chiltern miles.

A small but classy field was fighting for a £330 first prize over six laps of a 17-mile circuit which took in the climbs of Loxborough and Aston hills, and Curran was in all the breaks before easily winning the final sprint from Jeff Wright (North East RT).

After 20 miles Curran was instrumental in the race-winning move with Wright, Dave Williams (RT Italia), Andrew Hardy (Letchworth Velo), Jeremy Hunt (CC Giro) and Jorge Espinoza (Archer RC).

These six gradually increased their lead to 40 seconds on the bunch although Jo Doran (Wembley RC) did well to bridge the gap by the 50-mile point.

However, within ten miles he was to pay for his efforts when he was dropped with Espinoza as Curran and Williams attacked, opening up a tenuous lead over Wright, Hardy and Hunt.

Then, with 17 miles remaining, the do-or-die efforts of Wright and Hardy paid off when they rejoined Curran and Williams.

On the final climb of Loxborough Hill, with 10 miles left, Curran and Wright forged ahead with Williams desperately trying to make contact.

He eventually finished 56 seconds in arrears in third place after Curran had beaten Wright by five lengths in the sprint.

Former national junior champion Hunt claimed fifth place and also won the King of the Mountains title as well as an award for the most deserving rider.

RESULTS

1. Paul Curran (Dinnington RC-Neilson) 101m in 4-07-42
2. J. Wright (North East RT) st
3. D. Williams (RT Italia) at 56sec
4. A. Hardy (Letchworth Velo) at 3-21
5. J. Hunt (CC Giro) at 6-14
6. R. Thompson (North East RT) at 6-18
7. N. Martin (Dinnington RC)
8. T. Hall (Ace RT)
9. P. Marsh (Swindon Wh) all st
10. S. Tamblin (Letchworth Velo) at 6-23.