Top-level cyclists expected at funeral

CYCLISTS from around the world are expected to arrive in North Yorkshire this week for the funeral of Olympic and Commonwealth cyclist Peter Longbottom, who died in a road accident on the A64.Mr Longbottom, 38 of Malton, was thrown off his bike near the Grimston Bar turn-off after a collision with a car in Tuesday evening's rush-hour traffic.Tony Boswell, who coached Mr Longbottom for 25 years, said today he had been inundated with telephone calls from people wanting to pay their respects."I knew Peter was a well-known man, but I wasn't prepared for the amount of people who've contacted me since the accident."The phone has literally not stopped; it's riders from Ireland one minute, colleagues from France the next. Most people are just in absolute shock, along with myself."Mr Boswell confirmed that Tour de France cyclist Barry Hoban would be attending the funeral at 11.30am on Friday at St Mary's Priory Church in Old Malton. Mr Hoban contacted Mr Boswell from his home in Wales as soon as he heard about the accident.It is not yet known if Olympic and World Champion cyclist Chris Boardman - who competed with Mr Longbottom in a number of competitions including the Commonwealth Games - will be attending the funeral.Mr Boswell added: "Whether Chris will be able to make it all depends on his diary, but he was a good friend and I know he'll try his best."Mr Longbottom retired from racing in October 1996 ending a career which took him to the highest levels of international competition. However, Mr Boswell added that even today he was "a true professional who inspired cyclists all over the world".