This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

DAN ARBLASTER has won a prestigious national cycling trophy named after one of the sport’s modern greats.

Arblaster, 17 (pictured), clinched the Chris Boardman Trophy with his runner-up performance at the national hill-climb championships in Matlock at the weekend.

Previous winners of this award have gone on to be offered a place at the British Cycling Academy for the 2012 Olympics training squad and the 2006 winner, Alex Dowsett, has represented Great Britain at under-23 level in last month’s world championships, while the 2007 winner, Andy Griffiths, is currently racing in Belgium.

This annual junior champion of champions award is based on performances in the four national time trial championships held throughout the calendar year – the 10-mile, 25-mile, British Cycling championships and the national hill climb.

Each of the different time trials requires a different skill, thus giving an indication of the all-round capability of the riders.

Going into the final event, the hill climb, Arblaster and fellow Sarnian James McLaughlin led the challenge and whoever emerged tops on the day would take it home.

As it happened, only one place separated them, Arblaster second on the hill, McLaughlin third.

Velo Club president Gary Wallbridge said their performances once again highlighted their quality.

‘The standard achieved by these two young Guernsey Velo Club riders is up there with the very best in the UK and the club and the island should be proud of their achievements during the 2008 season as they have put Guernsey well and truly on the map within British cycling.’

Wallbridge emphasised it was not a fluke.

‘The performances achieved this year have not been by chance and the dedication they show in their training and the 100% commitment when they race along with the support their coaches and families should be an example for all young sports people from Guernsey to follow.’

The Matlock hill was comfortably the toughest the juniors had come across with an average gradient of 17% with the steepest part being 20%. The overall distance is 834 metres.

McLaughlin went first and flew up the hill in 2min. 42.1sec. to take the lead in the junior men’s section.

But the time was bettered by last year’s junior champion and hill climb specialist Adam Pinder from Blackburn in a time of 2-34.6.

Arblaster now knew what was required and he clocked a 2-40.1 to take second place. His time also gave him the 17-year-old winners’ medal, as the top junior is already 18.

The overall winner was Matt Clinton with a time of 2-24.2 and the Guernsey duo were 11th and 13th respectively in this open category.

Arblaster was delighted with his second place but despite proving his ability on hills, he vows never to do these championships again, regarding hill climbs as just one level down from torture.

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Article posted on 29th October, 2008 - 2.30pm