Serafin junior champion ahead of mate Mapley

MIKE SERAFIN has been crowned the 2005 junior southern cross-country champion. And in a demonstration of the strength the Guernsey Velo Club currently has at this level, his teammate John Mapley finished as runner-up.

'It all stems from Mike being part of the Talent Team,' said GVC president David Harry. 'He is a classy rider.

'John Mapley is also in the Talent Team. It is a nice situation for us to be in.'

Serafin led the standings going into the final round of the series in Checkendon, Reading.

The course consisted of mixed terrain, with tight twisty wooded sections and bumpy descents, finishing with two long climbs, making it a course for the all-rounder.

Serafin led from the start as the GVC pair looked to repeat the Sarnian one-two from the previous round.

The early signs were good as they came through after the first lap with a 30-second advantage over the chasers.

The gap was up to 45 seconds after lap two and surely only a mechanical problem would prevent another one-two.

It was Mapley who appeared first into the arena to the cheers of the Guernsey support to take the victory.

To the relief of his watching family, Serafin appeared soon afterwards to claim second on the day and take the overall title.

At this stage, unknown to him, Mapley's victory was later to be all-important as he tied for second spot in the series but just pipped his rival on countback due to his race win, once again to make it a Guernsey Velo one-two but this time for the championship.

'Our junior side is coming on well. We are seeing it now in a number of areas. We have got some good road riders a couple of years younger,' said Harry.

In the elite category, Rob Smart claimed second in the championship after finishing the final event in third spot.

He, Jon Osborn and Drew Blatchford lined up for the five-lap race.

The start, as always, was fast as the favourites muscled their way to the front.

After the first lap, Smart was in fourth, Blatchford eighth and Osborn ninth.

Smart moved into a podium spot on lap two as he caught and passed one of his rivals to take third.

He was to increase his lead over fourth on the remaining three laps to finish in a time of 1hr 50min. 48sec., his five laps taking 21-27, 22-00, 22-11, 22-41 and 22-29 respectively.

Blatchford gained one further place to come home seventh in 2-06-35, with Osborn eighth in 2-11-56.

Smart's third-place finish was sufficient to reach the qualifying standard set for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

'Rob is a very good role model for the youngsters,' Harry said.

Earlier in the day, the youth category riders including the GVC's Matt Osborn, Ben Burtenshaw, Josh Owen, Gary Robert and Peter Lee had been the first to tackle the course. They were racing over two laps.

Owen gained a cracking start to exit the start arena in second spot, with his teammates all tucked in just behind.

On appearance after their first lap, it was Osborn and Owen who appeared out of the forest first in eighth and ninth place respectively.

Burtenshaw was next in 10th spot but had a rear wheel puncture, a lengthy delay to swap inner tubes pushing him further down the pack.

Meanwhile, debutants Lee and Robert were enjoying the experience and were racing in 12th and 13th positions after the first lap.

The final one saw small changes to the pecking order with Burtenshaw fighting his way back up to a very creditable 12th.

Osborn was the first Sarnian home, just pipping Owen for ninth. Lee finished 11th after a much faster second lap while Robert, who was also quicker on his final lap, was 13th.

Mick Owen raced over two laps in the fun category and despite a fall, posted two consistent laps to come home in fifth spot overall.

Pete Miller made a welcome return to competitive racing as he tackled the four-lap sports category.

He rode well throughout and crossed the line in 18th overall in a time of 1-53-10.

Nick Mann was the last to race in the super-masters' category over four laps of the course.

A good start saw him near the head of the field as the riders left the arena.

Mann would part company with his bike in spectacular fashion in a heavy crash mid-race, but he was soon up and back on his bike with a cut knee for his trouble.

Back into his rhythm, the Sarnian was still inside the top 10 and came home a creditable eighth.

Four stitches were used to seal up his wound.

The riders now take a welcome break from competition until next year when they will be back to challenge for more silverware.