Gosselin returns to roots but Smart is the main man

ROB SMART demonstrated his expertise in holding off Josh Gosselin's challenge in the third round of the Ian Brown's and Arrowsmith Marlowe Cross Country Mountain Bike Series.

Following a number of practice laps around the excellently cut and designed Guet course, which featured a number of long climbs and flowing descents through the pine forest, the riders lined up for the start of the race.

With the riders set off at intervals based on their category, the race was soon under way with a frantic charge as riders battled to reach some of the course's bottlenecks first to avoid a hold up.

As usual Smart (pictured) was the early pace setter closely followed by the quick starting Gary Robert, Jon Osborn and Gosselin who hung up his time trial bike, pointy helmet and skin suit to return to his mountain bike roots for one week at least.

A slightly less frantic start followed in the advanced and veteran classes.

However, this did not stop Tim Luscombe and Nick Mann from storming ahead into early leads in their respective classes.