A SNAPPED gear cable scuppered Paul Holdworth's chances of winning the Elmet 12 Hour Time Trial last Sunday.
The Hounslow & District Wheelers rider hit the snag about halfway through the race, and although his front gear still worked, it severely limited his options.
Holdsworth's helpers tried to get him to stop, change the back wheel and screw the gear mechanism down. But he refused, fearing that once he broke his rhythm it would be hard to get going again.
However, despite that bad patch, Holdsworth still managed to finish sixth, having covered 270-87 miles before his time was up.
The distance should be enough to help him to another high ranking in the British Best All Rounder table again this year.
Holdsworth had started out with an aggressive strategy, pushing through the big gears in a windless morning in which he was well up in the leading pack.
However, despite covering the first 100 miles inside an impressive four hours eight minutes, and brisk wind and steady rain slowed him up even before the gear cable troubles.
******
ALAN DEVONSHIRE insists he is fully focused on Hampton & Richmond Borough after failing to land the Cambridge United job.
Beavers boss Dev was on the short-list to replace Gary Brabin at The Abbey Stadium after taking Hampton up three leagues in six years.
He had an interview with Cambridge last week, but on Monday they plumped for former Leyton Orient boss Martin Ling.
Devonshire said: "I'm not that bothered about it really. I'm just focused on Hampton now, with the Blue Square South season kicking off in a week's time."
Ling's appointment certainly brought sighs of relief for everyone at Beveree.
Club spokesman Stefan Rance said: "Alan went for an interview last Monday, and we were contacted by Cambridge at the end of last week to thank us for letting them speak to him, but they would be taking it no further.
"There is certainly no shame for Alan in coming second or third to someone with the experience of Martin Ling. Although we would have been delighted for Alan, we are also relieved he is still with us."
Before the big-kick off at home to Basingstoke on Saturday week, Devonshire will cast his eye over a few more trialists.
His only summer signing so-far has been Havant & Waterlooville midfielder Jamie Collins.
But Dev admits he will probably sign former Basingstoke striker Dave Tarpey and ex-Maidenhead midfielder Ashley Smith, who have both impressed in pre-season.
However, his mind is still not made up on former Burnham frontman Leon Yarnie. Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat to Northwood saw Dev look over a few more potential signings, including ex-Hayes and Sutton keeper Kevin Davis.
But for last night's friendly against Wycombe, the Beavers boss was aiming to get his first team out, with a similar line-up against Luton tomorrow.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people enjoyed the club's fun day, held at Beveree on Sunday, which included a celebrity six-a-side tournament.
