The promising youngster powered up the island’s flagship hill climb in 1min. 44.4sec., just 1.8sec. off the record set some 35 years ago by Nick Despres, who was among the spectators for the telegraphed attempt on his long-standing mark.
Le Cheminant had given it his all and so was visibly disappointed once it was revealed that he had missed the record, even if the wet roads and unfavourable wind had quite possibly made all the difference.
‘I was really gutted to miss out by such a small amount,’ he said.
‘But the conditions were far from ideal and to come so close in those conditions, I know I could definitely have done it in the dry.
‘There was a few times I completely lost grip and that just upsets your rhythm, and on one corner, I completely lost the back wheel out to the side.
‘Overall, I’m really happy with my performance. I paced it really well and my overall power was almost exactly where I wanted it to be – just, unfortunately, the weather conditions made me lose some time in some areas.’
Le Cheminant had been widely supported as he reached the clearing approaching the top of the hill and gritted his way towards the finish line.
The respected record, which remarkably had been set on a fixed-gear bike, will be in his sights again next year.
‘I’ve just got to take it as a good effort and come back stronger and faster next year,’ Le Cheminant added.
‘The support on the day and leading up was just incredible and it was so nice to see so many people come down to watch and cheer everyone take on the challenge of the Terres.
‘Looking forward to getting stuck into some winter training and prepare for next year’s events.’
In the same event, forming the fourth and final round of the Guernsey Velo Club’s Hill Climb Series, U16 Zach Smith joined an exclusive group of sub-2min. riders.
And it was not even a close call, with the leading junior mountain-biking prospect posting 1-54.5.
Fellow junior Charlie Tourtel took third in 2-06.9, followed by Adam Torode (2-09.2) and U14 Freddie Martel (2-13.5).
U16 Holly Smith was the fastest female rider in 3-33.2, followed by sister Amy in 3-54.3.
In last Thursday’s round at Les Valniquets, above the Imperial Hotel, U16 Smith came away with a new outright record of 1-11.9 to his name.
Rival junior Charlie Tourtel had gone just before, riding a 1-13.2 to take 0.6sec. off Josh Saunders’ mark.
However, Smith then brought the record into new territory.
Torode went third quickest overall in 1-17.4, followed by Mark Le Page’s 1-18.1 and another fifth place for U14 Martel in 1-21.6.
Amy Smith had put down a 2-13.9 for girls’ honours this time, edging out sister Holly by 0.9sec.
