1.
GV Start of race in Harwich, United Kingdom contestants racing by
0.10

2.
GV Pack races by
0.30

3.
LV W. Kerr of Ireland (No. 1) and S. Poulter of Britain (No. 12) leading pack up hill
0.48

4.
GV PAN Breakaway group of four Kerr, S. Fenwick of Britain (No. 8) Poulter, O. Redsted of Denmark (No. 35) receive refreshments
1.01

5.
GV Injured rider being assisted into ambulance
1.22

6.
GV Group of riders passing finishing line
1.30

7.
SV M. Madiot (No. 48) of France with flowers presented by girls in traditional Dutch costumes
1.44




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SPORT: CYCLING
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: French cyclist Marc Madiot earned the yellow jersey for the 1980 Sealink International with his second successive stage win in the Harwich-Spalding, UK, leg of the race on Wednesday (16 April). It was a very special day for the Frenchman as the victory co-incided with his 21st birthday.

SYNOPSIS: 72 riders from 12 countries left Harwich's Parkstone quay at the start of the second stage of the Sealink International. The race began in the Netherlands on Monday (14 April) with a time trial. On Tuesday (15 April) the riders raced a 160 kilometre (100 mile) course from Rotterdam to the Hook of Holland. They travelled on the overnight ferry to be in Harwich for the 190 kilometre (118 mile) ride to Spalding.

Last year's winner, Ireland's Billy Kerr made an early break from the pack with Britain's Steve Poulter. They worked hard to make the break decisive, and soon increased their lead to almost three minutes.

By the time they reached the only feeding station two other riders had joined them, but they were still well ahead of the pack.

Feeding time for the main group was chaotic with nearly seventy riders desperate for refreshment after 115 kilometres (72 miles) in the hot sun. Several cyclists fell and England's Tony James was forced to retire with a groin injury.

As the sun took its toll, the main pack who had paced the race well caught the breakaway group. Madiot's victory was worth a 20 second bonus which put him 13 seconds ahead of Norway's Morten Saether. They yellow jersey gave the Frenchman another reason to celebrate a memorable day.