Smart seals series title

ROB SMART retained the winter series title with a commanding final-round display. Going into the last stage of the Arrowsmith Marlowe/ Ian Brown's Cycle Shop-sponsored series, at Les Norgiots, the elite championship could not have been closer. Only one point separated Smart and Nick Mann at the top of the standings.

'I was a bit surprised, because I hadn't felt all that good. But my training seems to have been going well,' said Smart.

'I have not done anything particularly new. Last year I was training a bit harder for the Island Games; this year it is more structured.'

Conditions underwheel were soft, but the riders were still able to stay in the saddle for the majority of the course without having to get off and run.

After the initial lap, it was clear that Smart was again in fine form as he held a lead of 55sec. over the chasing pair of Mann and Chris Le Page.

Over the 11fi laps, Smart went one better than the previous round as he lapped all advanced and expert riders.

He crossed the line still looking fresh to take the honours in 1hr 30min. 15sec.

Le Page pulled clear from Mann at quarter-race distance to take second spot, leaving Mann third.

The advanced race over eight-and-a-half laps of the course was dominated by the promising youngsters on show.

Mike Serafin rode superbly in his first outing over the longer distance, clearly showing the benefits of a more structured training plan.

He took the class honours in 1-14.29 leaving Andy Colver second in 1-15.18 and Tobyn Horton third in 1-16.17.

The sports, under-16s and under-14s raced over four-and-a-half laps. Sam Nichols stormed away into an early lead but tired and was passed by Josh Owen, who opened up a healthy advantage.

Owen was looking good for a comfortable victory, but veteran Pete Le Breton closed fast.

Le Breton just ran out of time as Owen crossed the line only 13sec. clear to take the win.

Fellow veteran Adie Geall came home in third. The first under-14 to finish was Garf Brown who placed seventh overall in 45.41.

Peter Lee was never too far behind to take the runner-up spot in 46.40.

Earlier in the day, the under-12s, -10s and -eights raced over a shorter version of the full course.

Kieran Duquemin took the honours in the under-12s' race and then proceeded to line up in the sports straight afterwards, completing the full distance.

In the under-12s, he was followed home by Robert Paul and Alex Wilson in second and third respectively.

Stuart Sunderland for once had to settle for second spot in the under-10s as he was beaten to the line by Alex Falla, who took the win in 11.36.

Third went to the first girl to finish, Maddie Wilson.

Michael Mann again took the under-eights' win, with Marco Petralia second and Joshua Pinchemain third.

The riders can now look forward to a six-week break before the start of the summer series in March.

Smart and Mann will also be going away once a month for the seven-race Southern XC MTB series.

Smart finished 10th last year, Mann 16th.

'We also hope to get some of the younger riders comiong across with us,' said Smart.

'There's a lot of talent at every level in the club at the moement. The sport's booming.'