Curran demonstrates his all-round ability

MAKING a rare appearance in a 25-mile time trial, former Commonwealth road race champion Paul Curran (Optimum Performance RT) was a clear winner of Knaresborough RT's event on the T252/4 Knayton-Dishforth course on Sunday.

Although three minutes outside Harry Walker's event record of last year, Curran's 52-59 gave him a 46-second margin over Andy Gates (Team Rapide), his nearest challenger in a full field.

Gates scraped second place by a single second from veteran Graham Woodhouse (Kent Valley RC), whose 53-46 from the number five mark had set the early pace.

Later starters were hampered by a increasingly strong wind which was of little help except for the last three miles. Top seed Adam Hardy (Brough Wheelers), still suffering from a knee injury, was a spectator, and number 110 Chris Isats (Berwick Wheelers) was a non-finisher. The Knaresborough event was over-subscribed to the tune of 150 entries.

RESULTS

1. Paul Curran (Optimum Performance RT-Power Bar) 52 59
2. A. Gates (Team Rapide) 53 45
3. G. Woodhouse (Kent Valley RC) 53 46
4. D. Youens (GS Metro) 54 01
5. T. Horton (Halitax RC) 54 23
6. C. Peate (Morley CC) 54 38
7. B. Stephenson (Scarboro Paragon) 54 51
8. M.Youngson (Knaresboro CC) 54 59
9. S. Whitell (Stockton Wh) 55 05
10. L. Jones (Knaresboro CC) 55 06

Team.- Stockton Wh (Stuart Whitell, Doug Homes 55-48, lan Murray 56-10) 2-47-03.
Veterans.-Graham Woodhouse.
Juniors.- Gavin Baker (Brough Wh) 55-53.