Vaudin in fine form ahead of Southerns campaign

Having dominated the women’s race in Sunday’s Mountain Bike Cross-Country Series round at Le Guet, the 17-year-old very much has her sights set on the Guernsey 2023 home Island Games.

But she is hoping to get back in touch with big competitions again as early as two months’ time, being one of several Sarnians targeting a Southern Mountain Bike Series that begins in late March.

With four rounds of that, plus a six-part National Cross-Country Championships campaign – where she placed second junior girl last year – lined up, she could be one very busy and well-travelled rider if Covid restrictions permit.

‘I’d like to get podiums again in the Nationals and ideally first in the Southerns – that’s my main goal,’ she said.

Now the firm No. 1 female off-roader domestically, Vaudin said she was ‘happy so far’ with her fitness and enjoyed the challenges of Sunday’s race.

‘This is one of my favourite courses – nice and rooty, and it’s got a lot of technical sections, which I really like,’ she added.

‘It’s a perfect day – all nice and sunny.’

A bumper field of 66 riders shared these pleasant conditions at Le Guet and, at the very sharpest end, there were no shocks as James Roe beat Mike Serafin for top honours.

Serafin gave Roe a spirited challenge, though, holding him for just over three of their eventual 12 laps.

Roe eventually used the terrain to pick a small lead that blossomed as the race progressed, with the winner posting a total time of 1hr 7min. 17sec. Serafin followed 1min. 56sec. behind.

Both also have their sights set on a few off-island appearances in coming months, as well as the Commonwealth Games this summer should they have their squad places confirmed.

But in this humbler race, Roe quite enjoyed an up-tempo duel against his closest challenger.

‘It was a good, twisty course,’ he said.

‘Really, really fast – me and Mike went off at a fairly fast pace and both of us were hanging on and seeing who could last the longest.’

Brad Vaudin placed a distant third, in 1-13-38, as the only other rider to complete a dozen laps within the time-frame.

In seventh there was a fine performance from young Chay Kennedy-Cook, only just 15, while another two positions back came top veteran Dan Thwaite.

In 12th place overall, Vaudin covered 10 laps in 1-11-21 to make it five women’s wins from five races.

Her silky-smooth riding allowed her to lap the second-placed woman, Nor Holden, who logged nine circuits in 1-12-39.

Jamy Petit placed a more distant third of the five contestants in the main women’s section and, with four others in the sport (novice) category, it was a solid turnout overall for the female riders of various levels.