Murray wins but no double

Murray, who has finished second to Stuart Wearmouth in the North Eastern CCA cyclo-cross league during the winter season just ended, switched to his lightweight wheels for the Circuit of Thornton Bridge time trial over an 18-mile course based on Milby, near Boroughbridge.

Murray, who was back in the colours of the Steve Goff Frames team after riding for Teesdale CRC in cyclo-cross, covered the two laps in 40min 21sec to hold off an unexpected challenge from West Yorkshire Police CC rider Richard Alhadeff by just nine seconds.

Hull's Joel Wainman, who had been expected to pose the biggest threat to Murray, was a further 47 seconds back in third place.

"Somebody shouted me a time check and said I was slightly down on the second lap, so I gave it loads,'' said Murray.

But his hopes of a weekend double vanished when he was relegated to second place by Wainman in the Allsports International time trial over a sporting 15-mile course at Walkington, in the Yorkshire Wolds.

Wainman, who lives in Hull and uses the roads for his regular training rides, stormed home in 36-47 to beat Murray by 13 seconds.

"Joel and I are good friends, even though we are rivals,'' said Murray.

"He vowed he was going to get his revenge, and he did just that. It's still only February and there's a long way to go yet.''

Murray and Wainman renew their rivalry in the Yorkshire Cycling Federation's open ten-mile event on the Walshford-Boroughbridge course next Sunday, which precedes the YCF luncheon.

After a winter season of rivalry between Murray and Stuart Wearmouth off the road, they will be joining forces on March 17 in Tyne RC's two-up time trial over an 18-mile circuit near Ponteland.

Murray explained: "Stuart has persuaded me to ride the Three Peaks cyclo-cross next September, and I said I would as long as he rode a two-up time trial with me.

"I hope I'm going to give him some of the grief he's given me during the cyclo-cross season!'