Brehaut wins final race despite time mix-up

PAUL BREHAUT clinched overall victory by winning the last event in the Guernsey Velo Club's Easter Four-Stage Race. He nearly missed the start, due to a mix-up in times, but just managed to ready himself for the job of protecting his lead in the competition.

Nick Mann was also keen to hold on to his first category leader's jersey, staying near the front of the group and watching for any early attacks.

The race, which was held over six laps of the Pleinmont circuit, started at a quick tempo with elite and category one riders setting off together.

The pack managed to stay together until the fourth ascent of Pleinmont hill when Brehaut attacked and split it.

Five riders broke clear, including Tobyn Horton, Rob Smart, Stuart Le Tissier and Tony Bleasdale.

The chasing three - Ann Bowditch, Graham Le Maitre and Mike Dean - worked hard in an attempt to regain contact and by

lap five had lost only 50

seconds.

Brehaut, as the yellow jersey holder, watched his fellow racers carefully. The leader of any stage race will try and conserve energy in a bid to retain the overall lead - it is up to the others to attempt to ease him out of it.

The race was set for a sprint finish and as the racers rounded the final corner Horton was first to react and opened up a small gap, but Brehaut rounded him with 100 yards to go, easing to victory.

Bowditch was the first woman home in 2hr 3min. 14sec., beating the women's record for the course.

The previous holder

was Beryl Burton, one of Great Britain's best-ever cyclists who won many national titles including the 25-mile no fewer than 26 times.

Category two was possibly the tightest ever, with 12 seconds separating the top four riders.

Tom Becker had the overall lead, with Mike Serafin, Matt Le Huray and Colin Ozanne all eager to relieve him of the category jersey.

Serafin was feeling strong and made repeated efforts to break free, managing to string his rivals out on the last climb up the hill, but his efforts were in vain as the competitors were still together as they approached the line.

Le Huray won the sprint from Serafin with Becker a close third. This result meant Becker took the leader's jersey for the final time.

To cap a superb Easter series, newcomer Mark Batiste took the win in category three from Shaun Mosley, with Ted Boorman in third.

Batiste was victorious in the overall standings for his group and also in the points competition.

This is a separate award given to the rider who amasses the most points for placings in his group, which he took by virtue of winning every race.

Visiting rider Boorman was surely happy with his weekend's work.

With most 63-year-olds looking for a bus pass, a sprightly Boorman looks to beat riders half his age.

Peter Lee won the under-16s' one-lap time trial.

This stopped second-placed Nathan Baudains achieving a clean sweep in the category, but with three wins from four, he took the overall win.

James Cameron put in a strong ride in the under-14 group.

He was trailing James Mapley by over three minutes leading into the final ride, but a storming lap of 23-33 gave Cameron not only the time trial win, but also the winner's jersey, capping off a fine weekend for the fast-improving youngster.