Records come like buses for Brehaut

The 21-year-old Island Games pick managed to beat the Guernsey domestic 10-mile record in the low winds of Saturday morning, clocking 23min. 23sec. to shave 5sec. off the mark previously held by veteran Karina Jackson.

That came just seven days after she rode 11-33 to slice seven seconds off Jackson’s five-mile record.

But only the weekend before that, she was dusting off from a crash that had occurred in the last 1.6 miles of a promising ‘10’ attempt where she was well on pace to break the record. She had come back with a vengeance.

‘Going into the five TT I had that [record] as a goal, to see if I could do it,’ she said.

‘That was nice to get the record, having come off the week before.

‘I knew the weather was going to be good for the 10. I was really happy with that.

‘It’s definitely a confidence booster heading into the Games.’

Brehaut had entered the season having ridden 23-36 for 10 miles, 11-58 for five.

She has been working hard on her time-trialling but had faced additional adversity earlier this season from the conditions, which consistently took the edge off riders.

It is only in recent weeks that the weather has allowed her a good shot at the time.

‘Both the records have been goals I’ve had for quite a while,’ she said.

‘Coming into this season, I knew I could get quite close if I got lucky on the conditions.’

The youngster is now hoping for a strong individual time-trial result and ideally a team medal at the home Games.

Jackson, who will lead the women’s road team, did not mind handing over her records.

‘It’s a great achievement, and as team captain for the ladies’ Island Games team I couldn’t be more proud of her,’ she said.

‘I’ve watched her develop over the years and I think that the home Games has come exactly at the right time for her to showcase her ability, commitment and the team ethos she carries.

‘A definite inspiration to the next generation. I can’t wait to be able to support her in the Games.’

Jamy Petit-Fulgoni also managed to defeat the vastly-experienced Jackson on the 10-miler, albeit by just 4sec., with 24-16.

The Guernsey men’s record nearly took a tumble too that morning, with Marc Cox coming within 6sec. of his own marker.

He used his self-described strategy of ‘steady on the bends, “hoon” the straights’ to post 19-47 and top the standings from fellow Games men Alex Van Katwyk (20-38) and Matt Osborn (20-47).

Tony Bleasdale made hay in the fast-going conditions to set a veterans’ record of 21-17, beating not only the over-45s mark but also the over-40s.

Over-65 Greg Robert joined in the record-breaking, with a 23-43 in his own category.