Top two separated by width of a tyre

ONLY the width of a tyre separated the leading duo in the closest finish in Guernsey Velo Club mountain bike racing history. Nick Mann snatched victory from Chris Le Page, with Rob Smart less than two seconds back in third.

It was a fine finish to the experts' race in round two of the Ian Brown's Cycle Shop/Arrowsmith Marlowe-sponsored winter series.

'The racing at the top of the field has been close, but that's the closest yet. The series is shaping up well.'

And it is not just the elite group which is enjoying good numbers and close racing. The club as a whole is thriving.

'There have been some staggering turn-outs; it is great to see,' said Mann.

Much of that success has been due to the Newton Get Set initiative, which has attracted school-age riders, and the interest raised by the Island Games, he said.

'It's great that there is such close racing at the top end of the club; that will be a source of inspiration to the young riders.'

Mann now has two weeks before the next winter series race, round three at Le Coudre. He is spending between five and 10 hours a week training, mostly off-road. Competition between the top riders is spurring each of them on.

'There is so little between the top riders,' said Harry.

'Given the length of time they had been racing, to be separated by inches was fantastic.

'What made it all the more impressive was that Chris Le Page had crashed earlier in the race, but got back on and caught the leaders again.'

Harry is understandably delighted with the club's health. Numbers are up and are the envy of any English cycling club.

'It went a bit flat after the Games but last weekend we had 155 people go over to Herm to the race, riders, parents, helpers, officials.'

Some 94 competitors battled on the Herm course used in the summer's Island Games.

The experts tackled five laps of the course. A lead group of four riders was soon established on the first lap.

Jimmy Carling, Le Page, Mann and Smart soon opened a gap over the chasers and were still together until the fourth lap, when Le Page upped the pace, taking Smart and Mann with him.

Carling was unable to respond and eventually retired from the race. His time will come, though, as he gains more experience of the longer distance.

The trio were locked together for the last lap, despite Smart's attempts to split it up.

The climax came to a sprint finish, with Smart leading up the last climb. Mann kicked for the line first, Le Page responded and the riders were neck and neck.

The verdict was a second consecutive win for Mann from Le Page in a time of 1-39.55, with Smart two seconds behind in third.

The advanced riders raced over four laps of the course.

Andy Colver recovered from a bad start to hit the front midway through the first lap and never looked back, as he extended his lead on each of the four laps, despite damaging one of his pedals on a rock.

His four laps took him 1-28.32. Round one winner Lars Persson was relegated into second spot in 1-29.52 with time trial specialist Mike Brehaut in third.

The sports and under-16s raced over three laps.

The finish was almost as close as in the expert race, with Jack Sunderland and Jon Mapley together coming up the last climb.

Sunderland just took the honours in 1-04.32; Mapley came home five second later and Sam Nichols was in third spot. All three are under 16.

The first sports rider was Pete Le Breton, who finished in fourth spot.

The under-14s raced over two laps of the course. Garf Brown showed he had good stamina to take the win in 57.50. Peter Lee came home in second in 59.32, leaving James Mapley in third in 1-00.44.

The remainder of the races were held over a shorter course close to the campsite.

The under-12s raced over seven laps. Bryn Dickerson took the honours, winning in 17.23. Kieran Duquemin came home in second in 18.24, with Robert Paul third in 18.54.

The under-10s and under-eights raced over five laps. Alex Falla took the win in 14.42, leaving Stuart Sunderland second just three seconds behind in 14.45.

First under eight was Michael Mann in third spot and the first woman was Maddie Wilson who finished in fifth.

The next scheduled race is on Sunday 23 November at Le Coudre.

The club has set up a website with details of membership, races, club rides, training, courses and standards, pictures and contact details. It can be found at: www.guernseyvelo.org.gg