TOUR OF THE PEAK

Tanner takes it all

The 1995 Premier Calendar series climaxed with the Tour of the Peak in Derbyshire on Sunday, where victory saw John Tanner snatch the overall contest from team-mate Mark Walsham, to win the series for the second consecutive year.

THE quiet man of British cycling, John Tanner (Tri--Tech), is back in the number one spot in the Premier Calendar table after winning the final counting event, the JEF-Science in Sport Tour of the Peak.

Tanner's victory in the 53rd version of the Derbyshire classic came as no surprise. The tough 87-mile course with its eight major climbs was tailor-made for the hard man from Yorkshire.

But few could have predicted that he would also retain the Premier Calendar title, regaining the lead from his team-mate Mark Walsham. Walsham, who needed to finish only in the first 15 on Sunday, rode across the finishing line in Buxton Market Place in a lowly 21st place. There were no excuses from the long-time league leader who was quick to congratu-late his team-mate on retaining the title.

It was just reward for Tanner, who had been at the head of affairs right from the opening miles. A 72-man peloton had set out from Buxton,with at least ten of the 28 non-starters absent preparing for the world championships or riding the Tour de l'Avenir.

Experienced campaigners know that early breaks usually succeed in the Tour of the Peak, which is why Paul Curran (Optimum Performance RT) went on the attack. He was quickly joined by his team-mate Wayne Randle, Tanner, Julian Ramsbottom (North Wirral Velo) and young prospect Danny Axford (Team Energy).

They raced through Hathersage with 50 seconds lead over the hard-chas-ing duo of Mark Lovatt (Optimum Performance RT) and Will Wright (TS Tameside).

Ahead, at 27 miles, loomed Winnats Pass. In previous years the Pass has been the final climb before the finish. Organiser Jim Court decided to bring it earlier in the race to spread the action and to give spectators time to reach the finish.

Ramsbottom was dropped on the lower slopes. Tanner and Randle set the pace with Axford in close attendance, while Curran was content to climb in fourth spot. Nobody tried any heroics - there was still a long way to go and the break would need to stick together if it was to succeed.

Just over a minute later came a chasing group of Gary Thomas (Leek CC), Jeff Wright (North East RT), Kevin Dawson (Optimum Performance RT), Martin Pitchford (Brough Wheelers), Tim Hall (Ambrosia/-Dyna-Tech), Jan Mountain (Irish Heritage CC), Paul Manning (North Wirral Velo) and David Cook (Middridge CRT).

A regrouping on the descent saw the chase group sweep up Lovatt, Will Wright and Ramsbottom, leaving the four leaders 1-12 ahead as they tackled the Sparrowpit climb for the sec-ond time. By this early stage the race was virtually over for the bunch, which was already five minutes down and still losing ground.

Despite the efforts of Jeff Wright and Cook on the front of the pursuing group, the leaders maintained their gap of around 1-20 all round the second loop through Grindleford and Hathersage before the race headed for its final showdown over the Snake, Chunal and Long Hill ascents.

Curran, Axford, Randle and Tanner showed no signs of weak-ening as they raced past the drought-stricken Ladybower reser-voir and on to the Snake Pass. For once the weather was mild on the bleak moorland summit where Tanner led the way over the prime line from Randle with 63 miles covered. The Snake failed to split the break but behind them the chase group was disintegrating.

Thomas, Jeff Wright, Mountain, Will Wright, Lovatt and Cook, in that order, were next over the top, having dropped Dawson, Manning and Hall on the climb. Meanwhile Dave Williams (CC Lancashire) and Paul Spencer (Long Eaton CC) had escaped the bunch and were moving up through the field.

A high-speed descent off the Snake to Glossop was followed by one of the steepest climbs of the race, Chunal, which was where Tanner chose to attack. Curran forced his way up to him, Axford and Randle were dropped.

Tanner and Curran were away but their lead was not decisive. Axford and Randle were caught by Jeff Wright, Thomas and Lovatt, and the new chase group had the breakaway duo in its sights as the race headed through Chapel-en-le--Frith and Whaley Bridge to Long Hill, the last obstacle before Buxton.

The five-mile ascent was a cruel finishing touch to a gruelling course. It also gave heart to the chasers who could see their quarry 32 seconds ahead as the exposed road wound its way round the hill-side.

Lovatt attacked and set off in pursuit of the leaders in a bid to assist his team-mate Curran. Tanner didn't want two Optimum Performance men for company and promptly jumped clear of Curran, who could not respond.

Tanner romped over the last two miles of Long Hill well clear of Curran and Lovatt and hurtled down the two-mile descent into Buxton.

Barring accidents he had the race won, but first he had to sur-vive a drenching storm - the only rain of the day - which soaked the field as it struggled over the last climb.

Through Buxton and up the short, sharp hill into the Market Place, Tanner was cheered home by a small crowd as he crossed the line 40 seconds ahead of Curran, with Lovatt third. Jeff Wright and Randle, both shattered, crossed the line together in fourth and fifth places ahead of Thomas. Axford, the last survivor of the race-long break, did well to come home in seventh spot, 3-32 down on the winner.

There was more interest than usual in the lower finishers as Tanner waited to see if he was Premier Calendar champion. He had a 12-minute wait before series leader Walsham came into sight, a desperately disappointed 21st.

The South Manchester RCC promotion provided an excellent finale to the Premier Calendar. Much of the success was due to the large escort team provided by the Derbyshire Constabulary which shepherded the riders safely over busy Peak District roads.

What they said

John Tanner went into the race with a pre-set plan. 'There's always an early break in this event, and once it has gone it's hard to pull it back,' the Premier Calendar champion said.

'I wasn't really bothered about the Premier Calendar, just as long as either Mark or I got it. My next ride? I'm going to the Commonwealth Bank Classic in Australia with Shane Sutton.'

Paul Curran, winner of the Peak event back in 1987 and 1988, was worried by twinges of cramp as he tackled the last climb with breakaway partner Tanner. 'I was thinking of all the permutations of ways I could beat him and couldn't think of one that would work.

'Then the commissaire came up and told us Lovatt was at 25 seconds. He'd barely got the words out before John attacked and he was away.

Mark Lovatt confessed: 'I sat on most of the day and just teased them because Paul was in the break. Then on Long Hill Jeff Wright put in this attack and I went with him and then went clear on my own.

Slumped in his car, a demoralised Mark Walsham said: 'I just couldn't do anything right today. Every time I tried to get across to the group nothing worked.

'I'm disappointed after train-ing over this course for two weeks. But it's swings and roundabouts, I've had some good days this year, and I'm pleased that John got it. Now I'm going on holiday, then I'll start preparing for Superdrome.'

RESULTS

1. John Tanner (Tn-Tech) 87m in 3-36-20
2. P. Curran (Optimum Performance RT) at 40sec
3. M. Lovatt (Optimum Performance RT) at 1-12
4. J. Wright (North East RT) at 1-29
5. W. Randle (Optimum Performance RT) st
6. G. Thomas (Leek CC) at 2-24
7. D. Axford (Team Energy) at 3-32
8. W. Wright (GS Tameside) at 5-0
9. K. Dawson (Optimum Performance RT) st
10. D. Cook (Middridge CRT) st
11. Mountain (Irish Heritage CC) at 6-56
12. P. Spencer (Long Eaton CC) at 8-06
13. P. Manning (North Wirral Velo) at 10-35
14. D. Williams (CC Lancashire) at 10-46
15. Lyons (Wembley RC)
16. M. Wellington (VC Bedford)
17. Masson (Team Energy)
18. M. Rogers (Team Energy)
19. M. Pitchford (Brough Wheelers) all st
20. T Hall (Ambrosia -Dyna-Tech) at 11-36.

Premier Calendar final overall (provisional).
1. -John Tanner (Tri-Tech) 656 pts
2. M. Walsham (Tri-Tech) 662
3. C. Lillywhite (Karrimor--Mongoose) 594
4. G. Holmes (Ambrosia/Dyna-Tech) 443
5. S. Hempsall (Chevrolet-LA Sheriff) 313
6. N. Hoban (Cycles Peugeot) 294
7. C. Walker (Cycles Peugeot) 293
8. P. Curran (Optimum Performance RT) 235
9. R. Ellingworth (Ambrosia Dyna-Tech) 228
10. M. Stephens (North Wirral Velo) and R. Holden (Ambrosia- Dyna-Tech) 21.