New record for medal hope Ann

THE island's top riders showed they are in peak form ahead of the NatWest Island Games with some great times in difficult conditions for a 25-mile time trial. The race decided both the inter-insular and the club championship at that distance.

In atrocious weather Paul Brehaut took the men's honours in 55min. 34sec., ahead of Guernsey teammate Terry Wright in 56min. 12sec.

Third was the only Jersey rider to make the trip up for the inter-insular, Mike Harris. He clocked 57min. 47sec.

Brehaut admitted he might not have raced in those conditions except that Jersey's Harris had made the journey over to compete.

Ann Bowditch was the top woman rider in a new record time, 62min. 38sec., more than half a minute inside the previous best of 63min. 14sec.

Amanda Briggs was pleased with her ride, giving her a new personal best time of 73:39.

'It is good to go into the Games in that sort of form,' said Bowditch,

'As long as we are in that condition and we ride to our best, that is all we can do. If we are beaten by a better rider on the day then we can do no more.

'For the 25, it was a case of riding with a bit of caution. The roads were slippery and we had to be a bit careful,' she said.

Brehaut agreed.

'With the thunder and lightning it was a difficult day. I would have liked to have gone faster, and on a better day I would have, but conditions weren't great,' he said.

Four Games riders crashed, though thankfully none was seriously injured: Aaron Bailey (road), Tony Bleasdale (road), Carl Thomson (road reserve) and Chris Le Page (MTB).