Chris Boardman/World Cyclist

1 Pages 351 Words

Chris Boardman is one of the World’s top cyclists. Through many hard times and struggles he has remained dedicated and physically powerful to accomplish all things that are imperative to him. Boardman was born August 26, 1968 in Hoylake, England, U.K. Under mentor Eddie Soens as a junior he joined one of UK’s most prominent clubs, Manchester Wheelers. During this era he progressed from a National Junior Champion at 25 miles to a Senior National champion, winning 30 national titles in all. Although he was virtually invincible there was one cyclist who gave him a run for his money and that was Graeme Obree. In 1992 he won the gold at the Barcelona Olympics in the 4000 meter individual pursuit. In 1993 Chris took on his first Hour Record. He took the record to 52.270km at Bordeaux on 23/07/93 in humid conditions. After wearing the Yellow Jersey in the 1994 Tour de France and winning the time trial with the highest speed ever recorded he went on to hold the Yellow Jersey for 3 days until he lost do to a dreadful performance by the Gan Team. In 1995 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. In 1998 at another Tour that started in Ireland Boardman crashed into the back of his teammate’s bike. Chris was taken to hospital immediately for a cautionary brain scan, on Doctor's orders, despite asking immediately after the accident if he could remount and get back in the race. Chris retired from the race, which suffered later on from serious drug and doping allegations now known as the Festina Affair. He decided not to defend his Olympic pursuit title in Atlanta, but did ride the Olympic Individual Time Trial, where he won Bronze in the men's 52 kilometer event, with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes and 36 seconds. Later that year he won the World 4000m pursuit title ...