Serafin set to push Smart all the way

THE novice/sport, women's, under-16, under-14 and veterans' race kicked off the Adventure Cycles GVC Mountain Bike Tour of Guernsey at the Camptrehard.

The course was fast although still a little damp from the overnight rain and there were two sets of steps that sorted the brave from the sensible.

In the novice class, although finding an alternative method down the second steps on the first lap, newcomer Stefano Rizzuto led from start to finish.

Another first timer Richard Hann was pipped to the post for second by Matt Le Huray, who rode past Hann metres before the line.

Hann said afterwards that he had not realised he was there, thinking it was another rider who he had just lapped.

In the women's race Frankie Middleton continued her winning ways, fresh from the recent series victory to win over Tina Coutanche, who had returned to mountain biking especially for the tour.