All to ride for as the Tour hots up

THE Guernsey Velo Club Mountainbike Tour of Guernsey is hotting up with some fierce racingin all of the categories. Round four of the De Beauvoir (CI) Financial Consultants and White Rock Bicycle Shop-sponsored event took place in the fields adjacent to the Idlerocks Hotel at Jerbourg. Despite the day's rain, the grass was dry and the wind was a welcome feature to counter the heat of the evening.

The under-14 and under-16 categories started the evening proceedings with six and nine laps respectively, of the slightly undulating, twisting course.

The more junior riders were led for the majority of their race by class leader Chris Norman who consolidated his lead at the head of the group with another victory.

In the under 16s race Dan Owen made a spirited start, but soon had to make way for a dominant James Roe. He powered clear of the field to take the win ahead of a fighting Jack Sunderland.

The biggest field of the Tour is the sports category, with 22 riders vying for the leader's yellow jersey.

With 10 laps of the course to complete, the riders took off determined to give the leader Michael Serafin a hard time.

Four riders battled at the head of the race and with other groups fighting further down the order, the spectators were soon encouraging the riders at every corner of the circuit.

The checquered flag was eventually taken by Andrew Colver ahead of Michael Serafin and Lars Persson with Jon Osborn taking a very creditable fourth place.

Expert and veteran riders lined up next to take on 15 and 10 laps respectively.

Bob Duquemin again showed his dominance in the vets' category with a convincing first place to retain his leader's yellow jersey.

Shaun Moseley took second ahead of Stephen Wild.

Among the experts the racing was fast and furious, with a five-man pack leading for much of the race.

With the lead changing between Island Games riders Nick Mann and Rob Smart, many of the spectators were banking on a tight finish between these two riders.

However, it was neither of their nights, as yet again youngster Jimmy Carling took the honours with another storming ride.

Not to be outdone, Tobyn Horton also showed the more experienced riders how it was done by taking a well-deserved second place ahead of Mann.

With the next event being the Hill Climb at Pleinmont at 6.20 this evening, there is still all to ride for in all the categories.