LINDLEY’S Tom Murray clinched the King of the Mountains prize – but missed out on his main target in the Tour of Pendle, the latest round in the Premier Calendar series.
The Pinarello team plan has worked a treat in previous Premier events with Murray, 22, working hard to secure victory after victory for teammate Russell Downing, the runaway series leader.
But Derbyshire’s Rob Hayles wrecked the plan this time to power to victory and leave Downing to cross the line second 36 seconds behind.
Murray, who came in seventh, a further 22 seconds back, was fully aware that the Pinarello plan had back-fired.
“I wasn’t expecting Rob to go and should have been on his wheel. I’ll get him next time!” said Murray.
Time trialists across Yorkshire had a blank weekend after roadworks on the A168 and A19 forced the cancellation of both the Drighlington Bicycle Club 25 mile time trial and the Yorkshire Cycling Federation 100-mile time trial over the weekend.
With one Olympic gold already in the bag for the cycling squad following the win by Nicole Cooke in the Women’s Road Race, all attention switches to the track from Friday until next Tuesday.
Reports from an early training session on the Beijing track are that riders are in better shape and going faster than they were prior to the World Championships in Manchester, when they swept the board.
Huddersfield track rider Ed Clancy will be leading the Team Pursuit in its bid for gold, climaxing in the final on Monday, at 11.20am (BST).
“We know that there’s expectation for the cyclists to deliver a big medal haul – and I think everyone in the team is pleased that there’s positive media interest,” said Clancy.
“Whether we win or lose I can guarantee that everyone here is going to give it everything!”
