The Bitch Ditch

Chris Boardman is probably Britain’s most succesful cyclist of all time with 3 World Hour Records, an Olympic Gold and holder of the prestiguous yellow jersey in the Tour De France. During his peak Chris was virtually unbeatable in time trials (racing against the clock)

Chris initially rode for one of the UK’s top amateur clubs - The Manchester Wheelers. On the domestic time trial scene he won over 30 national titles including National 10, 25, 50, and National Hill Climb Championships. Only Scotland’s Graham Obree was able to challenge Chris in domestic time trials.

ALthough Chris specialised in time trials he also turned his attention to road racing and also competed in track disciplines, In the 1992 Olympics Chris was a gold medallist in the 4,000 metres pursuit. It was this Gold medal performance that launched Chris into the public light.

In 1993 Chris Boardman broke the World Hour Record. Initially he had been planning to break F. Moser’s mark of 51.1 KM. However Graham Obree managed to beat this record just before Chris’s attempt. However unduanted Chris broke both Moser’s and Obree’s new record setting a mark of 52.2 KM. This led to an unprecendented increase in the World Hour Record. Both Tony Rominger and Miguel Indurain set new records taking the record to 55 KM. Then in Manchester 1996 Chris set a new World Hour adding over 1 KM to the mark set by Tony Rominger. The New World Hour record now stands at 56.375KM - a mark that has not been broken
Chris Boardman’s World Hour Record of 56.375 KM

In this photo Chris is riding a position known as the “Superman ” Position this is because his arms are outstretched. This position is particularly aerodynamic but this shouldn’t detract from the spectacular athletic performance of this record.
Chris Boardman - Tour De France

Chris devoted the last 5 years of his professional career to try and suceed in the Tour De France. Chris experienced mixed fortunes. 3 times he won the opening prologue time trial, enabling him to wear the coverted yellow jersey. However in 1995 Chris crashed in the opening prologue, breaking his ankle and missing most of the rest of the season. He also crashed badly in the 1998 Tour (after winning the prologue. (1998 the year of the Festina crisis)

After he set this remarkable record the UCI decided to change the rules about technology that could be used for setting an hour record. Basically they reverted back to 1970s technology when E.Merckx set the record. Rules included no tribars no disc wheels e.t.c. Chris decided to try and break this record as a final swansong to his professional career.Riding at the Manchester Velodrome (at Sea Level) Chris just managed to break E.Merckx record setting a mark of 49.441

In 1998 Chris Boardman was diagnosed with a form of osteoperosis, making it difficult to train for long periods at high intensity. This needed treatment with drugs prohibited by the UCI therefore Chris decided to retire.

Chris Boardman says he always rode without the use of performance enhancing drugs because he didn’t want to damage his health. Some commentators have suggested this is why he struggled relatively in the Tour when it went into the mountains. Of course this effect is impossible to quantify but Chris always maintained a degree of honesty and integrity when many other professionals resorted to the use of drugs (e.g. Festina team 1998).

Richard Pettinger

For pictures of Chris Boardman cycling see
http://www.richardpettinger.com/cycling/chris_boardman

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