IAN CHIVERS of Cyprus, Belfast, showed he is still a force to be reckoned with when he beat David Peelo and Michael Smyth in the Des Hanlon memorial race yesterday at Carlow, the first of 10 events to count in the classic league.
Chivers, winner of the Milk Ras in 1990 and road race champion two years later, did not appear to be the strongest of the three-man breakaway group. But at the end of the 83 miles around the county he still had enough in reserve to outsprint Peelo, who was also second in the event last year to Paul Griffin.
After several other breakaway attempts failed as the route went through Castledermot, Rathvilly, Tullow and Bunclody, a group of 11 formed at the front with 47 miles covered. With Chivers, Peelo and Smyth were Raymond Clarke, Brendan Doherty, Karl Donnelly, Denis Easton, Declan McMackin, Brian Geary, David Sheehan and David Hayes.
They went through Borris with a lead of 30 seconds, but the advantage had grown to a minute and 25 seconds at Bagenalstown, 62 miles. Then, with the ascent of The Bulls looming, a chasing group cut the gap to a minute. But on the climb Peelo went on followed by Chivers and Smyth, with Hayes, Clarke, Easton, McMackin, Doherty and Donnelly strung out behind.
Smyth and Chivers got back up to Peelo after they had negotiated the climb and the trio pressed on with a lead of 30 seconds. As some others came through from the back the leaders seemed vulnerable, but they held out to fight it out at the finish and Chivers got to the line first.
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