Local youngsters can follow Cavendish lead

THERE is a chance of a Guernsey cyclist one day competing in the Tour de France, according to the man who once beat the sprint stage winner Mark Cavendish.

Local racer Paul Brehaut defeated Cavendish, who became the first British rider since 2002 to win a stage after his victory on Wednesday, in the Island Games in Guernsey in 2003.

He believes that local cycling is improving all the time. 'If you look at the youngsters coming through now, like Dan Arblaster and James McLaughlin, then they have incredible potential. If we continue to develop the way we are, then there may be a Guernsey representative in the Tour de France one day,' he said.

Brehaut's own triumph over Cavendish, who was representing the Isle of Man, came in the individual time trial event based at Sylvans. Brehaut does not remember much about that day, but he said it was clear that the 18-year-old Cavendish would become a star.