He’s back

Chris Boardman's 100 days of anguish ended with a record-breaking return to action in Sunday's Merseyside Invitation TT in Cheshire.

YOU can't keep a good man down. Just 14 weeks after his terrifying crash in the Tour de France prologue, Chris Boardman (GAN) was back in action and in winning form in Merseyside Wheelers' invitation time trial.

Boardman, a winner over a variation of the same course six times between 1986 and 1993, made it seven when he covered the latest 28-mile version in a record 1-04-56.

When Boardman crashed out of the Tour at the beginning of July, breaking his ankle and wrist, many feared his season had ended.

But here he was, on the start line in Delamere Forest and ready to open another chapter in the Boardman story.

This time there was a happier ending, with the Olympic and former world pursuit champion and hour record holder demonstrating to the hundreds who turned out to watch their hero in action that Boardman is back and on form.

He took the 17th edition of the Merseyside event by 1-25 from a born-again Stuart Dangerfield (Leo RC), who finished in 1-06-21 to show that he still has the form which saw him to victory in the inaugural BCF time trial championship a fortnight earlier.

Third place went to Commonwealth silver medallist Chris Newton (North Wirral Velo). Recently returned from the world championships in Colombia, where he rode in the team pursuit, Newton may well have been showing the benefit of his time spent at altitude when he clocked 1-06-54. In fourth place with 1-07-51, early leader Gary Thomas (Leek CC) managed to hold off triple RTTC national champion Richard Prebble (Wembley RC), with just two seconds between the pair.

National junior 25-mile champion David Millar (Team Energy) rose well to the occasion to complete the top six in 1-08-27, one place ahead of BBAR Gethin Butler (Norwood Paragon), claiming to be pleased enough with his 1-08-47 after a long season.

On a summer-like day, with blue skies and warm sunshine, the stage was set as the top contenders jostled for a share in a prize list worth more than £1,500.

It was just a pity that there were 18 non-starters out of a select field of 50 plus four reserves.

With the field covering two 14-mile laps that included the climb of Overton Hill each time, spectators did not have to wait long before the early riders were coming back through the start at Hatchmere picnic site.

It was Gary Thomas, off number five, who set the early standard, taking 33-57 for the first lap. Brett Harwood (Leo RC), not looking too comfortable, followed through, over two minutes off Thomas' pace.

Stuart Dangerfield, meanwhile, looked in determined mood as he went off, having correctly predicted that the day would be won with ‘around a l-05’.

Last year's winner Pete Longbottom (North Wirral Velo) was quickly away, out of the saddle and pumping hard as he disappeared out of sight from the start, helped by the wind that was blowing up towards Frodsham.

Richard Prebble, still smarting from his non-selection for the World's, was smoothly away on his red machine.

Gethin Butler was his usual unflustered self but admitted that he was looking forward to the season's end.

But it was the man himself, Chris Boardman, who drew the biggest cheers and applause as he came to the line resplendant in his GAN colours - and clearly meaning business.

All the medical tests in the world cannot tell you how your body is going to react to the pressures of racing.

Boardman knew his injuries were mostly mended, but how would his ankle stand up to the racing effort?

As he sprinted away, he looked confident enough that bones and muscles were ready for the test.

The fastest opening lap up till then had been ridden by Dangerfield, 33-04, followed by Chris Newton, 33-06, and Prebble, 33-57.

Boardman came into view on the brow of the hill before the line and he looked the business. And as his 32-16 showed he was indeed doing the business.

Would his ankle hold out, some wondered, as he was cheered through by the crowd?

Thomas was the first to finish, his 1-7-51 knocking three seconds off Longbottom's winning time in wet and windy conditions last year.

Thomas' top of the table position lasted until Newton roared in, slashing the course record to 1-0654.

Mark Walsham (Tritech) was next into the listings with 1-09-30, just ahead of national hill-climb champion Jeff Wright (North East RT) who clocked 1-09-58 after winning two hill-climbs on Saturday.

Dangerfield had maintained his pace over the second leg and his 106-21 put him into temporary command, having taken 33-17 for the second 14 miles. That time would clearly take some beating, and it would take Boardman to do it.

Dangerfield's timed climb at Overton on the first circuit was 229, 10 seconds , faster than Boardman.

On the second climb, both had done exactly three minutes. Dangerfield was 48 seconds down on Boardman after the first circuit, but had he lost much more on the second lap?

It was eyes on watches as Boardman returned powerfully, having taken 32-40 for his last lap and a record 1-04-56 for the 28 miles to win a £200 first prize plus another £40 for two fastest laps and £25 for course record.

But the Olympic champion gave it all back for next year's event. What a man, what a rider!

1. Chris Boardman (GAN) ............ 1 04 56
2. Stuart Dangerfield (Leo RC) ......... 1 06 21
3. Chris Newton (North Wirral Velo) ..... 1 06 54
4. G. Thomas (Leek CC) .............. 1 07 51
5. R. Prebble (Wembley RC) ........... 1 07 53
6. D. Millar (Team Energy) ............ 1 08 27
7. G. Butler (Norwood Paragon) ........ 1 08 47
8. W. Wright (TS Tameside) ........... 1 09 11
9. P. Longbottom (North Wirral Velo) .... 1 09 15
10. D. Cook (Middridge CRT) ........... 1 09 16
11. J. Ramsbottom (North Wirral Velo).... 1 09 16
12. M. Walsham (Tritech) .............. 1 09 30
13. D. Sweeney (Rockingham Forest Wh). . 1 09 40
14. J. Wright (North East FIT) ........... 1 09 58
15. P. Manning (North Wirral Velo) ....... 1 10 02
16. Z. Carr (Leo RC).................. 1 10 16
17. S. Lillistone (North Wirral Velo) ...... 1 10 27
18. P. Whittall (VC Halton) ............. 1 10 57
19. K. Murray (Army CU) .............. 1 12 18
20. N. Giles (FS Maestro-Horton) ........ 1 12 26

Women.

1. Anne Plant (Swaledale CC-Arthur Caygill Cycles) .1 19 48
2. Maxine Johnson (Oundle Velo) ....... 1 21 29
3. Maria Lawrence (Rockingham For Wh) . 1 21 30

What they said

Not just a day out

`NO trouble at all' - that was Chris Boardman's verdict after his record-breaking ride in the Merseyside classic.

`My leg held up well - I had no trouble or pain from my ankle.'

But he conceded: `I'm as fit as an amateur would be in the same circumstances, but perhaps not a professional.

`I'm back to France this week to ride Paris-Bourges and Paris-Tours, and then I have a track meeting at Paris Bercy and I may be going for a couple of records as well.

`I'll just have to see how I go over the next few weeks.' Boardman, who had earlier claimed that he was treating the Merseyside event as a run-out, admitted he had come with the intention of winning.

`I wasn't here just for the day out.

`I made sure nothing could go wrong. It was nice and dry, I rode with road tyres and had

some wheels placed around the circuit in case of punctures. I left nothing to chance, and I really tried.'

Boardman revealed that he had enjoyed being at home for three months. `It's the first time for 13 years that I've had such a long rest, and I enjoyed being with my family. I've had a very intense last five years.'

He admitted that he was not too happy to be in the position of `just making up the numbers' in the GAN team for his next few races and `having to grovel'.

For Stuart Dangerfield, it was another case of deja vu. `I've now finished second four times in this event, but at least it took a world and Olympic champion to beat me,' Dangerfield said.

`I've got a new coach who has sorted me out. I was disappointed at not getting selected for the World's, but now I'm looking for Olympic selection.

`I'm riding the national hillclimb, but I've won it twice already so it's not one of my major aims this time,' Dangerfield added.

`I found it hard today, but I was going well. I ride the Rake hill-climb this week, then the Knaresborough hilly and the National's, and then I'm having a good rest.'

Chris Newton was another looking for an end to the season. `I started racing in February. It's been a long but enjoyable year for me.

'it was terrific to ride the World's, and do well enough to qualify the team for the Olympics.'

Richard Prebble was looking forward to a two-week holiday and club runs with the Gloucester City CC. `I'll start training again in the New Year,' he said.

David Millar does not like time trials. `I go as fast as I can to get them over!

`I like road races best of all, but I know you have to be able to ride a time trial,' said the junior 25-mile champion.

Gethin Butler was ready to hang up his racing wheels. `I think I've done enough this year,' Butler said, revealing that he had lost around a minute when he unshipped his chain.

`I'm looking forward to some nice long Sunday runs with Henry Iddon and the boys, stopping at cafes,' clubman Butler added.

Anne Plant has different plans. 'I can now look forward to some good walking in the Lake District,' she said as she shared her winner's bottle of champagne with friends and supporters.

Peter Longbottom didn't go away empty handed. Team-mate Simon Lillistone presented him with a T-shirt emblazoned with the message: `The older I get, the better I was!'