Robert joins Smart at top of the table

Tuesday 13th July 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Guernsey Velo Club president Gary Wallbridge negotiates yesterday’s downhill event. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0997249)

GARY ROBERT took himself to the joint top of the Tour of Guernsey leader board last night after winning the downhill second stage at Talbot Valley.

In wet and greasy conditions, his impressive ride saw him draw level on 5.75 points with Rob Smart, the winner of Sunday’s first stage of the seven-day event.

For Smart, his fifth place was a brilliant result, having not been expected to do as well in the shorter events, and he is now in a great position to retain the Tour he won 12 months ago.

And he knew the importance of getting out of the stage unscathed in terms of the points scored.