Guernsey Velo Club’s third consecutive weekend of racing arrived at
a new venue for the fifth round of the Cycleworld Cyclocross series.
The club are extremely grateful to the States’ Agriculture,
Countryside and Land Management Services for allowing the race to
go ahead on the planned course. During the warm-up the riders had
their first chance to tackle some new terrain, the pebbles behind
Vistas presented challenges for some and a beach section which
rapidly returned the riders back to the north end of the course
thanks to a helpful tailwind. Riders with a variety of techniques
attempted soft sand, boards and a small ditch before clambering
over the rocks back into the car park only to find no time to recover
on the fast tarmac at the end of each lap.
Dave Fairbrother continued his impressive run of form by taking the
senior CX win ahead of Charlie Tourtel who placed one hand firmly
on the Youth crown after main rival Zach Smith had a rare off day
despite some early pace in the main race. Fairbrother came through
the pack from row 3, challenging for the lead as early as lap 2 and
despite a crash at the boards in the tricky sand section, took fastest
lap on his way to crossing the line over a minute ahead of second
place. Tourtel has been consistent throughout the series and looked
completely comfortable on the new course but just couldn’t hold on
to the eventual winner.
Jason Kon completed the CX podium, recovering from a spectacular
crash on lap 1 which likely cost him any chance of running with the
race leaders. Senior series leader Nathaniel Jones continued his
consistent run in fourth ahead of rival James Marshal. Both riders
head to Jersey to compete together representing the club before
resuming their battle for top honours in the final round at Delancey
Park.
Esther Reid continued to improve in her first season of racing, taking
a fifth consecutive category win as well as finishing top female in the
race. Mark Smith dominated the veterans classes finishing well
ahead of Simon Francart and Mark Naftel. Four riders can still win
the Grand Veteran class in the final round but this looks likely to be a
head-to-head between Smith and Naftel, as Francart takes the 40+
series with a race to spare.
John Mapley took the mountain bike category win, taking full
advantage where the larger tyres made light work of the terrain and
not easing off when the heavier bikes may have suffered. Adam
Torode was second and takes a comfortable gap in the series to the
final round. Junior Braden Morris impressed in third place. Bailey
Smalldon won the Youth battle taking the series win with one round
to go.
The earlier Junior race took place on a shortened version of the full
course but the action was just as exciting as Jacob Piercey (Under 12)
took first place by an impressive margin ahead of Finley Sargent and
Hugo Johnson (Under 10). Ethan Shorto won the Under 8’s ahead of
top female Erin Pipet (Under 10), Orla Pipet (Under 8) and Eleanor
Piercey (Under 10).
Full results can be found at gvc.gg.
Round 6 Sunday 18 th February