Curran leaves them for dead

FORMER double Commonwealth champion Paul Curran (Optimum Performance RT-Power Bar) left what remained of the opposition for dead in Border City Wheelers' hilly 34-mile time trial, opening round of the Lakes and Lancashire SPOCO series, over a course starting and finishing at Carlisle on Sunday.

Everything had pointed to a three-way battle between Curran, BBAR Gethin Butler - clearly in good form after his North Road hardriders win - and national hill-climb champion Jeff Wright, the event record holder.

But Wright was a non-starter because of flu and Butler punctured at the 20-mile mark, having just caught his five-minute man Russell Thompson (GS Metro).

The event, sponsored by Shorrock Security Systems and carrying £550 in prize money, took in a circuitous route into the Cumbria fells via Brocklebank and Calbeck, Hesket Newmarket, Goose Green and Dalston. It included two one-in-six climbs and several other long inclines.

The target was Wright's 1993 record of 1-25-23, and despite the bitterly cold conditions, a strong south-west to westerly wind, and snow and hail showers, it looked possible that Butler could beat that figure.

The Norwood Paragon rider had pulled five minutes back on Thompson, who eventually finished fourth in 1-31-26, when he punctured at Brocklebank as he prepared to start the two-mile climb to the top of Calbeck.

It left Curran to take the top spot in 1-29-59, finishing with 1-12 in hand over Mike Taylor (CC Staveley) as Dave Buchan (GS Metro) squeezed in ahead of team-mate Thompson.

Graham Hodkinson, from the promoting club, salvaged 10th place in 1-36-33 after puncturing one and a half miles from the finish and crossing the line on his rear rim.

'It was a terrible day, but a good event and a good course,' said Curran, who after going out on the course in his car took a last-minute decision to ride his normal road bike rather than a low-profile machine.

'I can't really understand how I have missed this event in the past, but I aim to come back next year to go for the record, which I think is on if the conditions are right.'

Butler, for his part, was looking forward to the Porthole Grand Prix and the chance to renew rivalries with Curran.

RESULTS

1. Paul Curran (Optimum Performance RT) 1 29 59
2. M. Taylor (CC Staveley) 1 31 11
3. D. Buchan (GS Metro) 1 31 20
4. R. Thompson (GS Metro) 1 31 26
5. M. Addinall (North East RT) 1 32 32
6. G. Turnbull (North East RT) 1 33 02
7. A. McClure (Newcastle Cheviot CC) 1 35 05
8. H. Iddon (Cleveleys RC) 1 35 35
9. A. Gunson (Barrow Central Wh) 1 36 04
10. G. Hodkinson (Border City Wh) 1 36 33

Veterans.- Mike Wood (VC Cumbria) 1-41-12.
Vet on std.- John Keith (Middleton CC) -8-30.
Juniors.- Les Backstone (Lakes RC) 1-46-05.