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August 26, 1968, Hoylake,England, U.K, Chris Boardman has developed
from a keen juvenile riding for the Birkenhead Victoria to one
of the World's best cyclists!
He joined one of the UK's most prestigious clubs, The Manchester Wheelers, as a Junior to following the footsteps of other top time trialists such as Dave Lloyd and Daryll Webster, seeking national titles, under the guidance of mentor Eddie Soens. He progressed from National Junior Champion at 25 mile to Senior National Champion, winning 30 national titles in all. He became almost unbeatable in the UK time trial scene with only one man, Scotland's Graeme Obree pushing him and occasionally beating him.
Chris
in action during the New Brighton CC 25 Mile TT - Broxton.
17th April 1993 - Original Photo Copyright Paul J. Wright |
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In
1992 he became a household name when he won GOLD at the 1992 Barcelona
Olympics riding his revolutionary Lotus
Bike in the 4000 meter individual pursuit.
Many people who had never previously heard
of Chris said that the bike and not the rider had earned the Gold.
How little they Knew! |
 
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1994-
His first Tour After Wearing the Yellow Jersey in the 1994 Tour de France and winning the prologue time trial at the highest ever speed recorded in the Tour, he went on to hold the Yellow Yersey for 3 days, until it was lost due to a poor performance by the then weak Gan Team in the Team Time Trial. Chris was to miss out on riding in Britain in the Yellow Jersey. |
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| He returned in 1995 with high hopes, much more pressure and high expectations. In the 7.3km prologue he crashed after touching speeds of 50mph and taking too many risks in the terrible conditions. Chris fractured his left ankle and right arm, putting him out of the Great Race almost before it had begun. |
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1997-
The glory & the pain
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When
the Tour started in Ireland in 1998, Chris was considered favorite,
despite a run of bad form. Successes in the UK Prudential
Tour leading up to the Tour de France had lifted his moral, but
was he fit enough for the toughest race in the world.
Chris surprised no one but himself to win the prologue Time Trail
for the third time in five years, beating Abraham Olano by 4 seconds.
Chris stayed in yellow the following day but crashed out on Monday's
stage.
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| Chris
planned to take on the World Hour Record, at the time held by Francesco
Moser 51.151km, but was beaten to it by fellow Brit, Graeme Obree
who took the record to 51.569km at Hamar, using his contraversial
TUCK position, on a bike that he had built himself.
He stuck to his plans and only a week later he took the record to 52.270km at Bordeaux on 23/07/93 in humid conditions. |
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| Graeme Obree reclaimed the record, then the big guns got involved, both Miguel Indurain & Tony Rominger increased the distance, before Chris stamped his authority on the record, an incredible 56.375km for the hour on a hot September night in Manchester.Chris Turned Professional later in September 1993 for GAN and the restis history | |
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I
was privelaged to witness the spectacular thrashing of Tony Rominger's
previous Hour
Record of 55.291km by Chris at the Manchester
Velodrome on 6th September 1996. Eddy Merckx also witnessed
the event as he was keen to see Boardman brake the record on one
of his bikes. By
his own admission Chris was unsure about beating the record at
Manchester due to far from ideal conditions. But the huge crowd
lifted him to new heights as he motored to a new record of 56.375km
for the hour. Chris even shaved his arms for the attempt,as
every possible advantage was sought!
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After making the Tour de France his main
goal for 1996, and finishing well in his first attempt,he decided
not to defend his Olympic pursuit title in Altanta, but did ride
the Olympic
Individual Time Trial, where he won Bronze in the men's 52
kilometre event, with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes and 36 seconds.
Five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain of Spain was first
(1h4:05) and Abraham Olano, also of Spain, took silver (1h4:17).
Later that year he won the World 4000m
pursuit title at Manchester.
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