Shaw masters Fauxquets bog

DANNY SHAW thrived in the bog of the Fauxquets Valley course which was the location for the penultimate race in the Guernsey Velo Club's Arrowsmith Marlowe and Ian Brown's mountain bike series. In the final race of the day, shortened from the usual one hour to 50min., for elite, advanced and veteran categories, there was a frantic start with Island Games rider Josh Gosselin getting taken out and Philip Touzeau riding over him.

Both got back onto their bikes to finish, but their respective poor starts and mechanical problems resulted in them both finishing down the field.

At the head of the race it was Shaw who led the way from John Osborn and Rob Smart.

Shaw showed some of his form from the Island Games in Rhodes and proved too strong for the chasers, finishing a full two minutes ahead of Smart who had held off the spirited fight from the improving Osborn, who suffered a crash midway through the race.

A lap back, Gosselin had fought back well to overtake Mark Batiste and Matt Osborn to take fourth place in the elite category.

The advanced and veterans' race was tight as usual and, following the crash on the start line, there was a group emerging at the front of the race with Gary Robert, Ben Walden, John Mapley and Andy Gibson leading the way.

Geoff Gibson and Touzeau worked their way back to the group after being caught up in the crash, but the latter suffered a puncture which effectively ended his race.

Back at the front, Walden and Robert had opened a slight gap from Geoff Gibson who had worked well to get himself in contention, followed by his brother, Andy.

Entering the last lap there was nothing between Walden and Robert and, ultimately, it was a long stretch of field which was to prove the decisive point.

A fast grassy corner caught out Robert and as he slid Walden took advantage to win.

Geoff Gibson took third place from his brother with Mapley taking fifth, and single-speed rider Craig Addlesee taking sixth.

Sean Moseley headed the veterans.

The combined sports, under-16s' and under-14s' race took place over the full course for 35 minutes, plus one lap.

After a few laps the race settled down with Adam Sunderland leading the way followed by Alistair Martin, Alex Falla and Pete Miller, who was chasing glory after moving down to the sports category from advanced.

Ultimately, it was Sunderland who triumphed, finishing a minute ahead of Miller who had worked his way through the field following a slow start to beat Martin on the line.

Alex Falla took fourth place and victory in the under-14 category, while Phil Setters completed the top five.

The junior winners were Michael Mann (U-12s), Bradley Smith (U-10s) and Remi Naftel (U-eights).

Further details can be found on the Velo Club website, www.guernseyvelo.org.gg.