Ron Kitching Classic

JUST seven days before he bids to regain the national hill-climb title, Stuart Dangerfield (Leo RCShorter Rochford) scored a decisive victory in Sunday's Ron Kitching invitation time trial, winning for a third consecutive year on the Nidderdale course in North Yorkshire.

Dangerfield clocked 1-12-45 for the 29 miles which, although more than three minutes outside Chris Boardman's 1991 course record, gave him a winning margin of 46 seconds over Chris Newton (North Wirral Velo).

Former national amateur road champion David Cook (Middridge CRT) was a further 69 seconds adrift, while defending hill-climb champion Jeff Wright (North East RT), already beaten by Dangerfield on the Rake, could manage only fifth place.

Both the promoting Knaresborough CRT and a 41strong field owed a debt of gratitude to Ron Kitching, who stepped in at the last minute with personal sponsorship to save the event after the previous backers pulled out.

The riders first passed through the finish with five miles still to go, which gave spectators a good chance to watch the race unfold.

Off number 10, Zak Carr (Leo RC) set a high standard at 24 miles, 59-40, with only a handful of riders covering the main loop under the hour.

Jeff Wright was surprisingly slower in 1-01-16 before Dave Cook put it on a new plane with 59-34.

But better still was to come when Chris Newton, who has been in outstanding form since the world championships, went through in 58-19.

Last man off Dangerfield was the fastest of all, his 58-02 giving him a lead of just 17 seconds with five miles to go.

The Nidderdale course must rank among the toughest in the country, with Scarah Bank and Sawley Bank coming in the first half, followed by the one-in-five Grantley Bank which is climbed twice, the second time just a mile short of the finish.

Carr seemed to slow a little over the final five-mile loop, but still set the standard for the rest in 1-14-45. Jeff Wright clocked 1-1641, then Dave Cook finished in 114-40.

The gallery knew the top two riders were still to come, and they were not disappointed with the way it worked out.

Newton took over with 1-1331, and then Dangerfield rocketed home in 1-12-45 to complete the first hat-trick in the nine-year history of the event. Chris Boardman still holds the course record in 109-16 and he also won it three times - but not in consecutive years.

Former national hill-climb champion Paul Wildsmith (Barnesbury CC) was top veteran, in 1-22-53, and was due a double celebration after winning the LVRC hill-climb championship at Scorton, Lancashire, the previous day.

After being third and second in previous rides, Adam Jordan (Brough Wheelers) was the leading junior in 1-20-40 while Frances Harrison (Brough Wheelers) soldiered round in 1-4210 to take the women's award.

`The first few miles into the wind were particularly hard, and the course is tough enough with those one-in-five climbs to tackle,' said Dangerfield.

`I'll be giving it my best shot on Ditchling Beacon, but there are so many who could win. It's not that steep, it isn't long enough and it could turn into a fast man's race.'

Wright shared Dangerfield's view. `It's a very open race, and not really steep enough,' he said.

Chris Newton, twice the junior winner in the Knaresborough event, admitted: `There are no easy bits on this course.'

Newton explained that his season won't end until December 11. `I've got the national hill-climb next weekend, when I hope to go well, and then there's a track meeting at Manchester before the European under-23 championships on the track in Valencia.'

There is no such hectic schedule for Dave Cook: `That's my season finished,' he confirmed.

1. Stuart Dangerfield (Leo RC-Shorter Rochford) ....1 12 45
2. C. Newton (North Wirral Velo) ....... 1 13 31
3. D. Cook (Middridge CRT) ........... 1 14 40
4. Z. Carr (Leo RC).................. 1 14 45
5. J. Wright (North East RT) ........... 1 16 41
6. A. Hornby (Brough Wh) ............ 1 17 13
7. B. Harwood (Leo RC) .............. 1 18 23
8. T. Horton (Bronte Wh) ............. 1 18 45
9. I. Cooke (Featherstone RC).......... 1 19 54
10. K. Murray (Army CU) .............. 1 20 33

Juniors.- Adam Jordan (Brough Wh) 1-20-40.
Veterans.- Paul Wildsmith (Barnesbury RC) 1-2253.
Women.- Frances Harrison (Brough Wh) 1-4210.