Petit Bot tamed by Bowditch

NATIONAL hill climb champion Ann Bowditch has obliterated her own record for the double Petit Bot hill climb. Bowditch knocked no fewer than 35 seconds off the woman's record, with two classy rides.

'I think I set the previous record in 1999 and I have not done the double hill climb since,' she said. 'That record was 6-36 and I thought I would like to go inside six-and-a-half minutes for the event.

'It was a bit surprising to see the times and do 6-01 overall. I suppose now the target is to go inside six minutes.'

The double hill climb is one of the toughest events on the Guernsey Velo Club's calendar, with riders tackling the east side, then the south. The times for each climb are combined for the overall result.

Bowditch's first effort took just 2min. 47sec., leaving a margin of just under four minutes to challenge her best.

All eyes were on the clock and with just 3-13 taken for the second climb, the record was shattered.

'When I did 2-47 for the first run, I knew the record was well within reach,' Bowditch said.

'The first climb is a funny one because it drags on. It seems you just keep turning corners. You think you are on the final straight and you're not - it is deceiving.

'The second climb is more difficult. It is very steep to start with, it flattens out a bit, you have several hairpins to contend with and it has got a very steep finish. You do not want to burn out too early on that one.

'Getting a pacing strategy for hill climbs is probably more important than any other discipline.'

Bowditch has already ridden the course on which this year's national championship will be held and that poses an altogether different proposition.

'It goes up 25% in places and when you think that Le Val des Terres is 10%, it shows that it really is very steep. It has even got a handrail to help people walking up it. I am looking forward to the challenge,' she said.

The in-form rider, whose next major event is the British Time Trial Championships on the first weekend of next month near Manchester, has claimed several records in the past few weeks, from 500 yards to 50 miles, showing what a fine all-round talent she is.

Also in the Petit Bot double, the first ascent had Rob Smart and Tony Bleasdale separated by just over one second, with Bleasdale holding the advantage.

Smart managed to overhaul his deficit to win by just on hundredth of a second in a time of 5-28.84. The men's record was not in danger, mountain bike wizard Steve Hewitt still holds this with an incredible 5.14.

Nathan Baudains finished a superb sixth place, with two well-paced rides. He is a natural on the bike and uses his gears to good effect.

Under-16 year old riders have their gears restricted, which enables them to utilise a fast peddling technique, vital in a developing youngster.

James Cameron was the fastest in the under-14 category. Breaking the seven-minute barrier at his first attempt.

Island Games rider, Jon Osborn decided to use his mountain bike, complete with knobbly tyres. This did nothing to slow him down, as he completed a very impressive ride of 6-09.