Roe finishes as the top CI rider at 'Southerns'

Roe was the star performer of a five-strong Team Estera roster that lacked top prospect Sam Culverwell, and the top Guernseyman just about edged out the first of the Jersey riders accompanying them on the Chitterne circuit.

The women’s race was a different story entirely as Jersey’s high-flying Kim Ashton pinched victory for the third time since 2015.

Coming off placing sixth in National B action just over a month prior on the same route, Roe pipped lead Jerseyman Sam Firby by one position as teammate Mike Serafin marked his comeback from a lengthy spell of illness with 16th.

‘We showed well, although I was initially disappointed with seventh as, with a lap to go, it looked like a podium spot was well within reach,’ said Roe afterwards.

‘Mike performed really well after recent illness, being at the front of the race all of the day.’

Serafin had led the charge by sticking with an early move containing around 15 riders, but Guernsey found themselves on the back foot with only one man up-front.

Jack English and Marc Cox worked alongside Roe, together with several Nopinz Symec riders, to close that gap.

Once back and at about half distance, Roe and Serafin got involved in what appeared to be a winning move featuring two of the Nopinz men.

They drew a lead of nearly three minutes on a chasing bunch featuring the remainder of Team Estera.

An additional attack from Nopinz whittled the group down further and Roe decided to latch on to them, but tired legs and a lack of commitment led to the lead being consumed with about 10km remaining.

Everything was building up for a bunch sprint with as many as 20 riders, but eventual winner Jack Freeman (Pedal Heaven) stole a march on the group in the final kilometre.

Roe placed highly in a sprint that Serafin had led out, while English was first across the line in the next group.

Despite their best efforts, Hannah Brehaut and Danielle Hanley found the going tough and could not finish after dropping off the peloton.