Kent Richardson confirmed he is a force to be reckoned with in local cycling as he won his second race in as many outings on Sunday at Southside, St. Davids.

With many sporting events cancelled on a day of high winds and driving rain, the Island's cyclists were out in force as they battled the conditions in their final preparation for next week's Conyers Dill and Pearman Grand Prix.

In what was sure to be a day of attrition, the race got off to a fast start with many of the top riders on the start line.

Unlike the previous week's race, where the riders stayed intact until the finish, it took just one lap for the field to split under the pressure with a small group breaking away in the tough headwind. Richardson, Steve Millington, Karl Outerbridge, Greg Hopkins and last week's winner Martin Pettit quickly opened up a lead on the rest of the riders.

Within three laps the lead group was down to three, as Hopkins and Pettit fell off the pace.

With Richardson, Outerbridge and Millington pulling away with each lap, Pettit and Hopkins were joined by in-form Jean Bertrand and Marcelino Ferreira, who worked together to limit their losses.

As the riders completed the 15 laps of the 3.5 mile loop course the lead slowly opened as the frontrunners worked to extend their advantage.

Just as it looked as if the order of finish was set, with around seven laps to go the wind, rain and hilly course began to take its toll and Outerbridge was dropped by Richardson and Millington.

Sensing that there was still time to catch the leaders, the chasers closed in and with three laps left Pettit and Bertrand upped the ante which proved too much for Hopkins and Ferreira who dropped off the pace.

Clearly fading badly, Outerbridge was caught after a valiant effort on his own, and with three to go, Millington also succumbed to the pressure leaving Richardson on his own to ride to the finish uncontested.

Millington dropped out with one lap remaining leaving Bertrand and Pettit to fight for second and third after a well controlled race together, with renowned sprinter Bertrand taking second. Ferreira came in fourth taking honours in Category Three, over Gino Crofton.

Vic Ball continued his dominance of the veterans category after a brave effort from Ian Fox with Ball timed in 2.21.23 for the 14-lap race and Fox at 2.24.41. Steve Petty rounded out the top three in 2.31.10

In the junior categories Geoffrey Smith won the boys' 15-16 age group, and it was a hotly contested race in the 11-12 age group with Tim Fox edging out Alex McManus. In a close sprint both riders were timed in 1.09.11 for the six-lap event. Marc Smith was third in 1.15.19.

Other category winners were Peter Dunne in the male novice, Michael Coles in the under-10 boys, Karen Smith in the women's Category Three, Matthew Godfrey in the boys' 13-14 and Amy Fox in the girls' 11-12.