CycleWorld CX Series Round 5 Vazon

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