All-rounder Brown mixed it with Tour de France stars

COMPETITIVE cycling in Guernsey has arguably never been so strong - certainly in terms of numbers and science - which, given the handicaps it is put under, is some achievement. Never have more island roads been dug up, every summer there are more cars to avoid and in our diminishing world of patience and manners, never has the cyclist had more opposition for right of way.

Visiting the Isle of Man for the 2001 NatWest Island Games it was easy to see why the men of Manx produce so many top-level racers.

The roads and race circuits are long and bump free and there are no shortage of testing hills to build strength and stamina.

In comparison, the Guernsey Velo Club seem to be operating with a very loose chain, but thanks to the unstinting efforts of so many stalwarts, its first 40 years has produced a club to be proud of and many a fine rider.

Cyclists have been part of Sarnian Commonwealth Games teams around the globe, starting with the very first one Guernsey attended, Edinburgh in 1970.

In terms of commitment, no man has done more for the sport than Allan Renyard, a founder member in 1968 and a driving force ever since.

Next week, we pay tribute to 'Mr Cycling' who, along with other Velo experts, was happy to contribute to our list of top 10 all-time cyclists.

Their combined opinions produced a one to 10 which, sadly, could not contain all the great riders across five decades.

Steve Guilbert, the island's first category one rider and star of the late 1960s scene, just misses out, as do Steve Davies and Mike Rhodes, two highly-competitive riders from the UK who formed part of the island team time-trial squad for th 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

There were the merits of modern-day stars such as Rob Smart and Jimmy Carling to contend with, but ultimately only 10 could make the leading peleton and here they are:

1. Ian Brown

The complete all-rounder.

An outstanding talent and Commonwealth Games rider who was good enough to ride for the Great Britain squad on three occasions, including the seven-day Tour of Normandy stage race in 1989 and 1990.

In the first of those the slender Guernseyman placed 52nd out of 108 of Europe's top amateurs.

The field included the 1987 world champion, Richard Vivian, the double Olympic gold-medallist, Russia's Viatcheslav Ekimov, and future French star Richard Virenque.

Brown's all-round ability is unquestioned and saw off a series of challengers to his unofficial crown, while at the same playing a key role in the development of the sport in the island.

Arguably, his best performance was to average 24mph for 100 miles in 1972, stopping the clock at 4hrs 7min. 17sec.

Brown a bronze medal at the 1991 Island Games in Aland and a team time-trial silver in the Jersey games of 1997.

2. Ann Bowditch

THE star of the 2003 Island Games with four gold medals to her name on and off the roads, the 'Pocket Rocket', as she is dubbed, remains one of the best women cyclists in the UK.

A very powerful climber with superb power to weight ratio, she continues to produce great time-trial results although her lack of inches does not make her ideally suited to the discipline.

Unquestionably, the island's finest woman rider of all time, with former time-trialist and long-time retired Karen Despres the nearest anyone comes to her in terms of ability.

3. Paul Brehaut

TOUGH as they come and an outstanding time-trialist who won a bronze medal in the 2003 Island Games on his home roads.

His name features extensively in the club's record lists, with best time-trial times for 10 miles (21min. 14sec.), 25 miles (53min. 23sec.), as well as hillclimb bests for L'Eree and the Double Petit Bot.

He possessed the great habit of being able to pull out a great ride when it was most required and such is his strength and voracity it is a brave man who joins him in the Duo Normand event in France.

4. Dave Hobson

GUERNSEY'S top junior rider in the late 1980s and went onto represent the island at Island and Commonwealth Games level.

Very quick and talented, his name still features prominently on the Velo Club's vast record listings.

A great road race tactician he was very strong at the 1989 Gotland Games and unfortunate not to get an individual medal. Sadly, his progress as a potential top rider was slowed by the fractured skull he incurred in a mystery accident on the west coast.

5. Phil Sheard

A talented rider of the early 1980s and nearly 30 years down the road his name still pops up several times on the club's under-18 records.

Before leaving for the UK, along with his brother Paul, he was competing on a regular basis out of the island and among his local wins was a notable Easter hillclimb.

'The island's best ever road racer,' said Ian Brown.