Riders had to have their wits about them on this downhill section at Le Camptrehard. (Picture by Les Perry, 0597971)
JOHN MAPLEY proved he is the man to beat this season after he shone in round three of the Guernsey Velo Club’s Holeshot-sponsored downhill series in Fauxquet Valley woods.
Numbers were low compared to the previous two rounds and with good weather resulting in a very fast and grippy course it was clear that times would be quick.
And Mapley dominated the senior category by some margin to also take an overall victory. Andy Colver came second in the senior category followed by Tom Sherwill in third. Matt Le Maitre was fourth with Antony Renouf fifth.
In the junior category, James Mapley showed that he can still mix it with the big guns, taking third overall and finishing first in the junior category, while Si Dorey had silver and Adam Sunderland claimed third position. In the hardtail category, Kieren Duquemin won the top spot followed by Johnny Dorey and then Gary Robert.
The next race will be in Herm on 17 August with a downhill race in the morning followed by a duel event.
While Mapley was the top rider in the latest downhill event, the main man in the latest criterium was Daniel Arblaster.
With 19 seniors and veterans setting off for their 30-minute-plus five laps race around Delancey Park, it was clear that straight off the line the pace was going to be fast with riders trying to get away.
However, there were a large number who were willing to work hard to chase down any attacks so it was proving extremely difficult to split up the large group of riders.
Despite several attacks, nearly all the riders managed to stay within the main bunch until the final few laps when the jostling for the best lines began.
Entering into the final lap Nick Mann made his signature move up the group through gaps which most riders wouldn’t even risk.
He led into the final corner but Arblaster managed to come through the faster of the riders to narrowly take the win from the experienced Mann.
Matt Osborn continued his fine season, taking third place from Tony Bleasdale, Josh Gosselin, Tim Holmes, Jon Osborn, Stuart Le Tissier, Paul Jackson, Oliver Tracey, Rob Smart and Ben Walden.
Gary Wallbridge finished one lap back with Phil Setters, Andy Wilson and Stefano Rizzuto a further two laps adrift.
Earlier the under-14s had competed around 10 laps of the Delancey circuit and it was Alex Falla who once again went quickly off the start line to break away from the other riders.
Despite chasing hard, the chasing riders, led by Alex Wilson, were unable to catch Falla, who held on for the victory.
Wilson took second place followed closely by the rapidly improving Michael Mann, Will Falla and Juliette Setters.
Article posted on 30th June, 2008 - 2.29pm
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