YORK cyclist Phil Brighton (Askham Bryan College/Ceejay graphics) finished just outside the top ten when representing Great Britain in the UCI European Masters Road Race Championship on the Isle of Man.
He came 11th after tackling two laps of the TT course which included two major climbs - Creg Willys and Box Mountain.
The second climb soon split up the bunch with fellow British rider Stuart Dangerfield doing some serious damage at the front.
The 240-strong field became more fragmented on the second circuit and it became more of a survival to finish the event.
Brighton and a Irish rider started a chase but had little impact on the leaders, shortly afterwards the Irish rider pulled out leaving Brighton to go it alone for the final 35 miles.
Dangerfield came home to win the event two minutes. York sprinter Brighton, not used to such hilly courses, came in almost 20 minutes behind Dangerfield. Almost half the field failed to finish.
Brighton said " This is the hardest race I have ever ridden.
"The six-mile ascent of Box Mountain twice was not my kind of course, but I am pleased to finish the event as most people did not.
"Dangerfield is a class act the gears he selected for the hills scared me to death. The lad must have hydraulic legs."
Updated: 10:19 Friday, August 01, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article