THE WHEELS of fortune have turned full circle for elite cyclist David Rand in a matter of weeks.

The former national road race champion had his season all mapped out until his PDM Sports team collapsed - leaving the New Forest rider out in the cold.

But Rand never gives up in the saddle as he takes on the best of British riders week-in week-out - and he duly dismounted and put his energy into finding a new team.

His badgering paid off when he got a break with ambitious Harrods, who are proving a force to be reckoned with after forming just a year ago.

Rand got back on his bike and, like every top class rider, had the Prutour as his number one aim. Sadly he saw the prospect of taking part in Britain's biggest race slip away after injuring his achilles tendon in his first event alongside Harrods' teammates.

But Rand is a man who thrives on high speed and his recovery has gone along at the same pace. "Finding a team at such short notice is a nightmare. All the teams have got their riders, equipment has been handed out, every-one is keen and there are no places going," said Rand. "Although I did have support from Hampshire County Council's Bursary Sports Scheme," he added.

"I heard there was a place at Harrods when one of the eight-strong squad dropped out. Harrods were happy to keep it to seven but I turned them round."

Rand, who became the 1996 national road race champion after beating the likes of Chris Boardman over 130 miles, believes he is on target for inclu-sion in the eight-day Prutour which starts on May 23.

Harrods have already named five of their six-man squad, leav-ing Rand to battle with two others for the one remaining place.

"Obviously, being out with the injury has put me behind but I am getting better and better with each race. I am going full out to be selected," he said.

If all goes well, Rand intends to make another major assault on the national championship in an all-out effort to regain his title.

"The race always holds a special sparkle for me," said the former champion. "It is a race I can get motivated for easily. Even last year I was in the leading group of six."

Harrods manger Tony Foote believes Bartley-based Rand will be an important cog in his team's ambition of upstaging successful Linda McCartney and Men's Health opponents.

"They do not look invincible and we are confident we will win the National Calender Series," said Foote. "We have a very strong team and there are no big egos. Whoever is off the front the others will work for and David is happy to help whoever he can."

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