Rob is king of mountain

COMMONWEALTH Games rider Rob Smart highlighted his pedigree in winning the fourth event of the Ian Brown's Cycle Shop/Arrowsmith Marlowe Mountain Bike Cross-country Series The race held at the Grantez circuit was also used as a stage of the Guernsey Velo Club's Championship Rider Series - a new concept in which riders take on six different disciplines of cycling, both on- and off-road, to find the best all-rounder.

Since anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to enter the series, the sport, advanced, veteran and expert riders set off together over the same race distance.

Many were not prepared for the course conditions, which deteriorated considerably throughout the race. A downpour during the last two laps meant that it was more like a winter competition.

Smart was the first over the line, 49 seconds ahead of fellow expert Nick Mann.

Danny Shaw proved that he was serious in his move up to the same category, coming third behind the more experienced duo.

Seventeen-year-old Jack Sunderland showed great strength throughout the hour-long race, taking fourth place.

Pete Miller continued to show great improvement in his first season back after two years away from the racing scene. He was fifth overall and the first advanced rider to finish. Earlier, the under-12s and under-10s raced over three laps of a shortened circuit.

Alex Falla held onto his lead after a fast start to win and the first under-10 over the line was William Falla.

The under-14s and under-16s competed together in the second race of the day.

Nathan Baudains managed to hold off continuous pressure from James Cameron throughout the 32-minute race, winning by just two seconds.