Bermuda's mountain bike season got off to a flying start on Sunday at Hog Bay Park with 33 racers taking the start line in seven categories.

Conditions on the hilly course were good, although a little slippery in places following Saturday's heavy rain.

With the absence of last year's men's Open Series Champion McInnis Looby and runners-up Brian Steinhoff and Chris Conway it was always going to be anyone's race with past contenders such as Peter Matcham, Chris and Kyle Smith and Neil De St Croix looking to have a shot at line honours.

But that wasn't to be as newcomers, Canadian Garth Thomson, Bermuda's top triathlete Andrew Davis and Greg Reid battled for the top spots.

Thompson went out fast on the first of eight laps and never slowed as he crossed the line in 38.33 to hold off a strong challenge from Davis who finished just 13 seconds behind in 38:46. Greg Reid enjoyed a good ride too but was unable to stick with the lead pair, finishing one minute and four seconds behind Davis in a time of 39.50.

De St Croix did well to finish another minute back in 40.55 and Rolf Runkel had one of the best performances of the day, coming back from a broken collar bone last season to finish in fifth place in 41.26, pushing Matcham into sixth place in a time 43.19.

The closest race of the day was in the novices category as first time racers Craig Eckman and Dave Padega duelled over eight laps of the short course and were separated by just seven seconds with Eckman finishing in 30.07, Padega in 30.13 and Jason Hansford Smith in 35.16.

With last year's novices winner, Kyle Smith, having moved up to the Open category in the 15-16 boys, Geoffery Smith took advantage of his absence and was a clear winner over six laps of the long course, finishing with a fast time of 32.27. He was followed by Conner Burns in 35.18, Matthew Godfrey in 40.31 and newcomer Tristan Loescher in 49.03.

In the veterans' division, first time racer Fred Swan took advantage of the absence of injured Ian Fox to win uncontested in a fast time of 27.47.

The 13-14 boys category was dominated by Tim Fox who finished in 28.25 and was followed by a tight group of five riders who crossed the line within three minutes of each other. Geoffery Burns edged out Thomas Godfrey by 20 seconds to take second spot in a time of 30.40.

Aaron Fenn finished fourth in 32.05, first timer Max Tetlow fifth in 32.43 and Jonathan White sixth in 33.47 while usual contender Ricky Sousa Junior suffered an off-day, trailing home in 39.45.

Caitlin Conyers enjoyed a fine performance in the girls 13-14 division with an impressive time of 28.07 over five laps of the short course, although she was the only competitor in that group and will be hoping some other junior females turn out in future races.

Marc Smith proved to be too strong for his rivals in the boys 11-12 group as he led from start to finish in a time of 22.39 with Michael Coles having a fine ride, finishing in 25.16 followed by Dominic White in 28.02.

The next race on the mountain bike schedule is this Sunday at Admiralty House Park.

Racers are asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m. for registration and a pre-race lap of the course.