Forty years ago – on the third Saturday of July – the then reigning British road cycle racing champion was competing in West Cumbria, recalls cycling veteran Ged McCarten.
John Cavanagh of Kirby CC, showcased his remarkable prowess in the 1985 Cleator Moor Continental town centre cycle race.
The following morning he took on the challenge of the 56-mile Moresby Parks Road Race, cementing his legacy in the annals of local and national cycling history.
Velo Club Cumbria, as the promoting entity, celebrated the opportunity to host Cavanagh during the 16th annual Cleator Moor event and the Moresby Parks Road Races.
The club’s enthusiasm reflected the significance of these races in the regional cycling calendar, which attracted both seasoned athletes and rising stars eager to test their mettle against the reigning champion.
The first Cleator Moor Continental-style race was staged in 1970 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Cleator Moor Sports, an annual celebration held on the third Saturday of July.
This inaugural event brought an electrifying atmosphere to the streets, blending athletic competition with local festivity in a way that laid the groundwork for decades of cherished cycling tradition.
Such was the enthusiasm of the Cleator Moor sporting public for the race that the leading riders were guaranteed, not only a share of a sponsored prize list but also the chance to win cash donated by spectators for winning end-of-lap sprints, called primes in cycling parlance.
These spirited contributions from the crowd added an exhilarating dynamic to the race, ensuring that every lap carried the promise of victory, not just at the finish line but throughout the event.
The primes became a hallmark of the Cleator Moor Continental Road Race, fostering a connection between the riders and the spectators, who cheered as much for their favourite competitors as they invested in the race’s thrilling pace.
Adding a touch of Continental flair to the Cleator Moor race, the event introduced a cycle racing commentator to energize the crowd and narrate the unfolding drama of the peloton. This concept, reminiscent of racing traditions in countries like Belgium, brought an engaging dynamic to the spectators’ experience.
In Belgium, Mario Cotti had become synonymous with this role, celebrated for rallying the audience to contribute cash for special lap prizes. This practice not only heightened the excitement but also offered riders the assurance that their winnings would be presented promptly, fostering a unique camaraderie between competitors and the commentator.
Cleator Moor embraced this innovative element, enhancing its reputation as a race steeped in tradition while adapting to modern influences.
The 1985 event was no exception to this vibrant tradition. Crowds gathered in large numbers on the Square, eager to witness the spectacle as riders assembled into handicap groups.
The juniors, given a head start of five minutes over the scratch group, consisting of international and first-category competitors, set the pace for an electrifying contest. Positioned between these were separate groups of third-category and second-category riders, further diversifying the dynamics of the race.
This innovative format ensured round-the-clock action as each group thundered through the Square at high velocities, vying for special lap prizes generously donated by animated spectators.
The crowd’s enthusiasm transformed the racing atmosphere, with cheers echoing through the streets as spectators rooted for their favourites, creating a pulsating rhythm that matched the riders’ relentless energy.
These special lap prizes, coupled with the competitive spirit of the riders, established the event as a thrilling highlight in the cycling calendar, leaving lasting memories within the community and beyond.
As the crowd swelled in anticipation, the riders prepared their gears, fine-tuning their bikes to ensure the best performance.
The air was charged with a palpable sense of excitement, blending the roar of eager spectators with the occasional hum of a spinning wheel. Among them, local heroes and seasoned challengers exchanged glances that revealed a shared determination to carve their names into cycling history that day.
Liverpool’s John Cavanagh of Kirby Cycling Club, resplendent in his National Champions jersey, led off the scratch group in pursuit of the leading groups. Ahead was 12 laps of a three miles circuit around Cleator Moor, taking in Jacktrees Road, uphill past Trumpet Terrace and a fast, undulating section from Wath Brow down Ennerdale Road and through the start/finish area in the Square.
The pressure mounted as the groups merged, stripping away any semblance of hierarchy and leaving a single focus: the relentless pursuit of victory.
With only nine laps remaining, the race was electrified, its rhythm dictated by the clattering gears and synchronized pedalling of riders locked in fierce competition.
Mark Knagg, showing exceptional strength and tactical precision for Lakes Road Club of Barrow, set a blistering pace. He was a sight to behold, his determination etched into every pedal stroke as he pushed his group to its limits.
However, the relentless pursuit by Cavanagh and the scratch group loomed like an unstoppable tide, narrowing the gap with every twist and turn of the circuit.
The crowd, sensing the inevitable collision of these titanic forces, erupted into frenzied applause at each pass. The air vibrated with their cheers, their collective energy infusing the riders with an almost supernatural drive.
Spectators leaned over barriers, their voices blending into a single, roaring encouragement. It was a rivalry not just of riders but of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower.
As the laps ticked down, the merged peloton morphed into a battlefield where tactics came alive. Attacks were launched, riders attempted to break free, and counter-attacks were orchestrated with lightning precision.
Every move was scrutinized by the crowd, their eyes darting from one rider to the next, trying to predict who would seize the upper hand.
Cavanagh, ever the tactician, bided his time. His experience and composure under pressure were evident as he manoeuvred through the pack, eyes fixed on the finish line that still seemed a world away.
With six laps remaining, he made his move, accelerating decisively on the uphill stretch past Trumpet Terrace, dragging a handful of riders in his wake. The breakaway had begun.
The race had entered its final, fevered phase. The Square was alive with anticipation as fans realized they were witnessing a contest destined for the annal of Cleator Moor’s cycling lore. The stage was set for a breathtaking climax, with every rider striving to immortalize their efforts on this hallowed circuit.
But this race was to end in dramatic fashion. Brian Cookson, a third-category rider participating in the event, and years later celebrated as the president of the World’s governing Body, L’Union Cycliste Internationale, chronicled the spectacle in the esteemed international cycling magazine, Sporting Monthly.
“Cavanagh was not happy with riders refusing to work then making frenzied attacks to win lap sprints and so he jumped away with Andy Mills, Liverpool Century.
“As the duo closed on the leading group Mark Knagg launched a classic counter move, taking Tom Sheehan, Velo Club Preston and yours truly with him.
“Knagg led at the line with one lap to go with the race commentator, Gerry McCarten, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Then, Cavanagh and Mills were on, going straight past and giving us lesser mortals a working over.
“The speed shot up, and kept up over the last lap, until, with 300 yards to go and not realising it was the end of the race, Cavanagh sat up!
“Young Knagg took full advantage of the confusion zipping past to win from team-mate John McMinn, Mick Gallagher, Ribble Valley Cycle Racing Club and your modest reporter, 4th , the highlight of my year.
Afterwards Cavanagh, annoyed but philosophical joked: “Nothing has gone right since I was interviewed last year by Monthly Cyclist.”
However, in his post-race winner’s interview Mark Knagg had a different view – “Everyone in our group knew it was the last lap, so I don’t know what went wrong with John.”
