The third race of the Mark Pickford Mountain Bike Winter Series took place in perfect but bitterly cold conditions at St. Ouen’s Mill.

After a fast start over open fields and farm tracks, the elite riders quickly split the pack. Guernsey’s Commonwealth Games rider Rob Smart took the lead at the end of lap 1 followed closely by Robin Ovenden and Kieron Mills. By lap 2 Kieron had dropped off the pace, leaving the two of them to battle it out. The duo matched each other peddle for peddle for the next 4 laps but, on the long climb Rob was able to open a gap which Robin was unable to close. Rob rode on to take a well deserved first with Robin having to settle for second and Sam Firby taking a strong third.

The Sports Class saw a new winner in the shape Gary Osbourne, who put in a superb ride. Second was taken by Chris Stone and third by the ever improving Jim Dave.

The Veteran’s class was won, once again in fine style by Bruce Dingle. Jim Leatt made a welcome return to racing and managed second place from Pete Dingle in third.

The Women’s Class was won by the smooth riding of Caroline Davis with Julie Toporis and Angela Vibert showing improving fitness and stamina to take second and third respectively.

The Schoolboy’s Class was another three way battle with the positions remaining in check-mate. Current schoolboy champion Robert Coutanche showed strength and skill, managing to hold off the challenges of Stephen Le Brun and Rikki Knowlton.

The fourth race of the Winter Series will start at 9am on Sunday 15th January at Sorel Point, St. John. Please see the club website (www.ccc.je) for further information.

ELITE CLASS
1 Rob Smart
2 Robin Ovenden
3 Sam Firby
4 Kieron Mills
5 Chris Spence
6 Ian Le Lai
7 Phil Le Brun

SPORTS CLASS
1 Gary Osbourne
2 Chris Stone
3 Jim Dave
4 Adam Wojtkiewicz
5 Andy Parslow
6 Luke Vincent
7 Christian Guegan
8 Rhys Hidrio
9 Jim Connelly
10 Lee Wells
11 Grant Collins
12 Mark Hugett

SCHOOLBOYS CLASS
1 Robert Coutanche
2 Stephen Le Brun
3 Rikki Knowlton
4 Matthew Le Brun
5 No 109
6 Rory Hidrio - DNF

VETERANS CLASS
1 Bruce Dingle
2 Jim Leatt
3 Pete Dingle
4 Sandy Hugh
5 Toby Cooles
6 Dave Bihet
7 Mick Bertram
8 Trevor Bertram
9 Colin Hidrio
10 Andrew Toporis
11 Simon Stead

SUPER VETERANS CLASS
1 Mark Knowlton

WOMENS CLASS
1 Caroline Davis
2 Julie Toporis
3 Angela Vibert
4 Janet Gallichan

RESULTS OVERALL
1. Rob Smart (elite), 2. Robin Ovenden (elite), 3. Sam Firby (elite), 4. Kieron Mills (elite), 5. Chris Spence (elite), 6. Ian Le Lai (elite), 7. Bruce Dingle (vet), 8. Phil Le Brun (elite), 9. Gary Osbourne (sport), 10. Jim Leatt (vet), 11. Chris Stone (sport), 12. Pete Dingle (vet), 13. Sandy Hugh (vet), 14. Toby Cooles (vet), 15. Dave Bihet (vet), 16. Jim Dave (sport), 17. Adam Wojtkiewicz (sport), 18. Andy Parslow (sport), 19. Luke Vincent (sport), 20. Christian Guegan (sport), 21. Rhys Hidrio (sport), 22. Jim Connolly (sport), 23. Mark Knowlton (s.vet), 24. Mick Bertram (vet), 25. Trevor Bertram (vet), 26. Lee Wells (sport), 27. Colin Hidrio (vet), 28. Andrew Toporis (vet), 29. Simon Stead (vet), 30. No 88 (??), 31. Grant Collins (sport), 32. Mark Huggett (sport), 33. Robert Coutanche (s.boy), 34. Stephen Le Brun (s.boy), 35. Rikki Knowlton (s.boy), 36. Matthew Le Brun (s.boy), 37. Rory Hidrio (s.boy), 38. Caroline Davis (ladies), 39. Julie Toporis (ladies), 40. Angela Vibert (ladies), 41. Janet Gallichan (ladies).