WITH most of the ‘big guns’ missing due to UK racing commitments, Dave Dyke grabbed the opportunity to win the GIAAC’s five-mile road race.

Staged around L’Ancresse the race had a different look about it, not least because women entries outnumbered the men.

It was one of the regulars, veteran Dyke (pictured), who eventually ran out a comfortable winner but before he did so he had to overcome a spirited challenge from the improving Marc Tetlow, who held him until halfway.

At the same stage, Sarah Mercier was just drawing clear of Alderney’s talented distance star Nikki Neal at the head of the women’s field, which given the absence of Louise Perrio and Martine Scholes still showed remarkable depth.

Katrine Thomson, made a welcome return after injury, and Kerry Robin went through the five-kilometre mark just a minute behind Neal.

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