Serafin seizes last chance

The 33-year-old has been focused on that task and showed solid form in winning the latest Winter Mountain-Bike Cross-Country Series race, even if domestic No. 1 James Roe was not present to challenge him due to work commitments.

As the last event of the calendar year, Serafin was under pressure to make this chance count.

The race unfolded over a 1.1-mile lap taking in the twists and intricate vineyards of the Thornton family’s large property in St Saviour’s, adding to the variety by utilising a relatively new extension over the road to the reservoir.

Serafin made a tactical ploy to ease his way around the oftentimes tight route – he broke clear from the start to get a cleaner ride ahead of the inevitable lappings, eventually covering his 11 circuits in 1hr 9min. 8sec.

Andy Colver took second in 1-13-11 after growing his lead gradually from Brad Vaudin, who finished another 41sec. back, plus Mark Le Page and Alex Van Katwyk. But Serafin lapped the rest of the 48-strong field.

Having missed his only UK-based qualifier in the summer to focus on his wedding, the winner hopes his performances in races such as this can land him a spot.

‘It was a good race,’ he said.

‘It was a bit of a shame James wasn’t there as I’ve been training a fair bit recently, training as much as I can to hopefully get a place in the Commonwealth Games.

‘Being close to him would have really helped, but I was happy with my performance.

‘My name’s forward and I’ve just got to stay in good shape to try and get one of the last spots.’

Kylie Vaudin, who became the inaugural President’s Trophy winner at the last Guernsey Velo Club awards night, dominated the women’s race.

Vaudin covered nine laps in 1-09-48 as Nor Holden took runner-up nearly five minutes back, though not without a close challenge.

The improving Jamy Petit got a slower start but closed the gap throughout the second half to finish just 26sec. down on Holden.