Race 2 of the Mark Pickford Winter series was held at the Vautier/Averty land, Sion, St. John in bright but frosty conditions. This exciting and varied course is always eagerly anticipated by riders, with its fast wooded sections, stream crossings and short sharp climbs.

After an early pile up on the start straight, riders quickly thinned on the first climb. Road rider and Comonwealth Games hopeful Sam Firby made a fast start with Bruce Dingle and a handful of elite riders close in tow. By lap 2 Kieron Mills and Robin Ovenden had taken up the pace and continued to open a lead with every lap. For 5 laps racing was matched stroke-for-stroke between the two. Following a crash in the stream by Robin, Kieron seized the advantage to open a gap and take victory, with Robin having to settle for second spot. Behind Marc Le Sueur managed to overcome the start line pile up, working his way through the field, to take third over James Patterson.

The Sports Class witnessed a superb victory for Scott Vautier, in what was his first race of the season. Gary Osbourne was also returned with a vengeance, managing to push previous race winner Mark Wanless back into third spot. The ever-improving Ryhs Hidrio once again put in a solid ride to take fifth spot.

Having made his characteristic ‘bullet from a gun’ start, the Veteran’s class was once again dominated by Bruce Dingle who remain unchallenged throughout the race. Not too far behind, Michael Boarer provided the surprise of the race with his best ever performance to take a very well earnt second spot (watch out Bruce!). Pete Dingle, still suffering from the shock of being overtaken by Michael, had to settle for third place.

The newly created Super Veterans class was won in fine style by Mark Knowlton with ‘super doc’ Simon Slaffer and Mick Hill taking second and third respectively.

The Women’s Class saw some fresh new faces. Island Games rider Jim Davis swapped road tyres for mud tyres along with her good friend Cindy Wanless. In this their first every mountain bike race, both found the course very tough but great fun. With residual fitness from a Summers’ racing, Jim took a comfortable win but, not far behind, Cindy show that guts and determination can also take you a long way. Caroline Davies rode strongly in the demanding conditions to secure third.

Robert Coutanche was once again unbeatable in the hotly contested Schoolboy’s Class. Stephen Le Brun excelled on this muddy and technical course and was able to hold off another strong ride by Rikki Knowlton in third.

ELITE CLASS
1 Kieron Mills (7 laps)
2 Robin Ovenden (7 laps)
3 Mark Le Sueur (7 laps)
4 James Patterson (7 laps)
5 Sam Firby (7 laps)
6 Mark Trigg (7 laps)
7 Ian Le Lai (7 laps)
8 Chris Spence (7 laps)
9 Phil Le Brun (7 laps)

SPORTS CLASS
1 Scott Vautier (7 laps)
2 Gary Osbourne (7 laps)
3 Mark Wanless (7 laps)
4 Chris Stone (7 laps)
5 Rhys Hidrio (7 laps)
6 Luke Vincent (7 laps)
7 Darren Moon (7 laps)
8 Andy Parslow (6 laps)
9 John Ovenden (6 laps)
10 Mike James (6 laps)
11 Gwyll Mead (6 laps)
12 Chris Rayner (6 laps)
13 Keith Davis (2 laps)

SCHOOLBOYS CLASS
1 Robert Coutanche (4 laps)
2 Stephen Le Brun (3 laps)
3 Rikki Knowlton (3 laps)
4 Matthew Le Brun (3 laps)
5 Rory Hidrio (3 laps)
6 Matthew Coote (3 laps)

VETERANS CLASS
1 Bruce Dingle (6 laps)
2 Michael Boarer (6 laps)
3 Pete Dingle (6 laps)
4 Mick Ollivier (6 laps)
5 Colin Malzard (6 laps)
6 Sandy Hugh (6 laps)
7 Mick Bertram (6 laps)
8 David Bihet (6 laps)
9 Trevor Bertram (5 laps)
10 Andrew Toporis (5 laps)
11 Toby Cooles (5 laps)
12 Colin Hidrio (5 laps)

SUPER VETERANS CLASS
1 Mark Knowlton (5 laps)
2 Simon Slaffer (5 laps)
3 Mick Hill (5 laps)

WOMENS CLASS
1 Jim Davis (3 laps)
2 Cindy Wanless (3 laps)
3 Caroline Davis (3 laps)
4 Janet Gallichan (3 laps)

RESULTS OVERALL
1. Kieron Mills (elite), 2. Robin Ovenden (elite), 3. Marc Le Sueur (elite), 4. James Patterson (elite), 5. Sam Firby (elite), 6. Mark Trigg (elite), 7. Ian Le Lai (elite), 8. Chris Spence (elite), 9. Bruce Dingle (vet), 10. Scott Vautier (sport), 11. Phil Le Brun (elite), 12. Michael Boarer (vet), 13. Gary Osbourne (sport), 14. Pete Dingle (vet), 15. Mark Wanless (sport), 16. Mick Ollivier (vet), 17. Chris Stone (sport), 18. Colin Malzard (vet), 19. Rhys Hidrio (sport), 20. Sandy Hugh (vet), 21. Luke Vincent (sport), 22. Mick Bertram (vet), 23. David Bihet (vet), 24. Darren Moon (sport), 25. Mark Knowlton (sup.vet), 26. Andy Parslow (sport), 27. Simon Slaffer (sup.vet), 28. Trevor Bertram (vet), 29. John Ovenden (sport), 30. Andrew Toporis (vet), 31. Mick Hill (sup.vet), 32. Toby Cooles (vet), 33. Mike James (sport), 34. Colin Hidrio (vet), 35. Gwyll Mead (sport), 36. Chris Rayner (sport), 37. Robert Coutanche (s.boy), 38. Stephen Le Brun (s.boy), 39. Jim Davis (ladies), 40. Cindy Wanless (ladies), 41. Rikki Knowlton (s.boy), 42. Matthew Le Brun (s.boy), 43. Caroline Davies (ladies), 44. Rory Hidrio (s.boy), 45. Janet Gallichan (ladies), 46. Matthew Coote (s.boy), 47. Keith Davis (sport).