Le Page adds another win

CHRIS LE PAGE demolished the field again when winning the Guernsey Velo Club's road race held on the reservoir circuit. Taking the field apart is fast becoming one of Le Page's specialities and this race was no different.

Conditions were good, with a dry road and light northerly wind. The circuit is the most technically-demanding course on the calendar, with hardly any flat road: the competitors are either climbing or descending on some of the best roads in the island.

After a steady opening lap, several riders attempted a break and soon Nick Mann slipped off the front.

Le Page's attempt to join the lone rider were quickly quashed. Only minutes later, Tobyn Horton and Le Page attempted a break but again the attack was broken down.

Jimmy Carling's team mates, Ann Bowditch, Mann and Horton, plotted to get the young rider away with Le Page, deciding that it would be more beneficial to work with the favourite, Le Page, than against him.

The attempt worked, as the two riders attacked at Mont Varouf School. However, three others managed to bridge the gap to the two attackers.

With the last lap under way, the group was down to just five, with Le Page, Carling, Le Tissier and Tony Bleasdale working well with Danny Guillemette.

Carling was the first to suffer, losing contact at Les Vauxbelets, leaving the remaining riders to sort out the sprint.

As they approached the finish line at Mont Varouf School, Le Page bided his time.

With uphill sprints, timing is crucial, and with 50 yards to go, he stretched his legs, passing Le Tissier and Bleasdale for another fine win.

As Le Page finished, Guillemette was in trouble, with a bout of cramp forcing the rider to dismount from his machine within sight of the finish.

With rider assistance meaning possible disqualification, the watching crowd were not keen to ruin a top-five placing.

Things looked tense, but as Guillemette noticed Carling approaching the line, a fantastic recovery took place, with the injured rider jumping to his feet and remounting to edge the latter into fifth place.

With just two fighting it out for the spoils in category two, it was Bob Green who took the victory from a tired-looking Dave Gallienne.

Green has been in good road form this season and did all the damage to Gallienne's hopes up the long climb to the finish.

Category three was contested over four laps of the circuit, with British Cycling Talent Team member John Mapley looking for a good showing to back up his recent fine mountain-bike form.

Andy Colver formed an alliance with Mapley and Geoff King to pressure Ben Walden, the previous road-race category-three winner. The tactics worked as Walden was unable to respond to the change of pace. Mapley fancied his chances on the final ascent but Colver, looking strong, stormed past to record a fine victory.