Brehaut back in the groove

PAUL BREHAUT was 'chuffed to bits' to return to competitive cycling with a victory on Sunday. 'I was very pleased, especially after coming back from a year off,' said the winner of the Coudre road race.

'I am still six to eight weeks behind my training plan because I have had a few colds over the winter which have slowed me down a bit.'

The 2003 Island Games silver and bronze medallist applied the pressure the first time up the hill to test the riders early on, although much of the pack stayed together until the second ascent.

Brehaut attacked again approaching the top of the Coudre. Only Rob Smart and Tony Bleasdale were able to stay with him and together they were able to open a small gap.

Alan Rowe was keen for a slice of the action and jumped clear of the following group in a bid to close on the leaders, but was unable to do so and was soon back in the pack.

The leading trio continued to increase their advantage and were three minutes up by the halfway stage.

The pack was working hard, but was using losing ground steadily lap by lap.

On the final climb the leading three were maintaining a quick tempo until Smart, not known for his sprint finish, attacked approaching the summit and pulled clear.

Brehaut was first to react, chasing down the mountain bike wizard, but Bleasdale was on the limit and unable to follow.

Approaching the finish, Brehaut seized the initiative and, catching Smart unawares, managed to outsprint him for victory.

'It was a good battle and Rob is going to do well this season.

'Tony Bleasdale put in a very good performance also. It was probably the best I have seen him ride.'

Even though Brehaut is heavily involved as a Guernsey Velo Club coach, with Island Games selection having taken place during last season when he was out of action, his main aim as a rider is not Shetland this year.

'If I can get my form back and get some speed into my legs over the next five or six weeks, I would like to have a go at the National 10km and see what I can do against the best in the country,' he said.

Once the top trio had crossed the line, all eyes were on the pack and it was Stuart Le Tissier who took the early initiative, sprinting for home half-a-mile from the finish, but his rivals closed him down.

As they rounded the Cup and Saucer bend, Mike Dean was the first to react with Nick Mann and Ann Bowditch bearing down on him.

Mann held on to take the sprint for fourth by half a wheel's length from the in-form Bowditch.

This was a fantastic result for her as she finished ahead of all the male Island Games road riders.

The category two riders were evenly matched with five of the eight going clear on the first lap.

Newcomer Phil Smith was clearly benefiting from training in Lanzarote as he made light work of the hills.

Triathlete Colin Ozanne was in good form but was unable to break clear.

On the final lap, Smith attacked the pack early and stormed clear, winning by five seconds from Matt Le Huray with Ozanne in third.

Ride of the day went to Nathan Baudains.

The 14-year-old completed the two-lap time trial in 26min. 25sec. despite a crash. This was just shy of the senior riders.

James Cameron was the fastest under-14 rider, completing his two laps in 29-03.