PREBBLE STORMS TO CONVINCING WIN

NINE years after he last won the title, Richard Prebble (Pinarello RT) continued his remarkable comeback to competition when he won the National 100-Mile Time Trial Championship at Garstang, Lancashire, on Sunday.

Prebble was in a class of his own throughout the event, consistently being more than 1.2mph faster than his nearest rival, Paul O?Mahoney (Pro Bike Kit).

By the split around half distance Prebble was already 3-47 ahead, but he continued to stretch his advantage, pulling a further seven and a half minutes out of his rival over the closing 50 miles.

Prebble finished in 3-44-45, while O?Mahoney was 11-15 slower with 3-56-00. Third spot went to Echelon Cycles? Paul Dring, another six seconds off the pace, while the team prize went to Team Swift-Allsports, led by fourth-placed Carl Ruebotham with 3-56-57.

In the women?s event, Julia Shaw added the 100-title to her 2007 victories at 10, 25 and 50 miles when she clocked 4-12-32 to beat Ruth Eyles (Beacon RCC) by 1-43.

At the turn she had led by just five seconds, but maintained her effort over the closing 50-mile leg while Eyles faded.

Meanwhile, Graeme Obree?s 1997 Scottish 10-mile record finally fell last week when Jason MacIntyre (The Edge-Dooleys) convincingly won the Glasgow Wheelers? event at West Ferry in 18-47.

MacIntyre?s time was fastest by more than two minutes on the day, and sliced a huge 42 seconds off Obree?s long-standing mark.

National 100-Mile Championship.-

1 Richard Prebble (Pinarello RT) 3-44-45

2 Paul O?Mahoney (Pro Bike Kit) 3-56-00

3 Paul Dring (Echelon Cycles) 3-56-06

4 Carl Ruebotham (Team Swift-Allsports) 3-56-57

5 Nik Bowdler (Farnborough & Camberley CC) 3-57-14

6 Oliver Jones (API Metrow) 3-57-21

Team.- Team Swift-Allsports 12-07-39. Women.- Julia Shaw (GS Strada) 4-12-32. Women?s team.- Walsall RCC 13-56-36.