Philip Touzeau negotiates his way around the Guet on his way to fourth place in the elite category race. (Picture by Les Perry, 0589683)

JAMIE BURTENSHAW grabbed his opportunity to step into the limelight in round five of the Ian Brown’s and Arrowsmith Marlowe Mountain Bike Cross-country Series.

Glorious sunny conditions met the 38 riders and with many of the top ones away racing in the UK, it gave others a chance to win.

Since the elite category contained only five entrants, the organisers decided to reduce the length of the race so that the elite, advanced and veteran categories all completed the same number of laps.

Advanced rider Burtenshaw rode a superb race and, although closely followed by elite riders Gary Robert and Richard Setters for the opening laps, he managed to open up and extend his lead from the chasers to finish some distance in front.