IT'S tight at the top in the elite mountain bike category this season but Sunday's crunch race at the gruelling Ferry Reach course could sort the men out from the boys.

The elite Male Open category is led by Mark Hatherley after last season's champ Garth Thomson took a year off while Wayne Scott, Grant Goudge and Neil de ste Croix are in the hunt for top honours. Says de ste Croix: "It's wide open as to who will finish on top. It's pretty much about who races the most consistently." Goudge triumped in the first leg at Ferry Reach before Christmas but this time the course will be reversed.

Either way it's a tough one ¿ 2.3 miles of rugged terrain with just one small flat stretch to ease aching muscles. "The rest is just rough. We might see someone take a dominant position after this race and show themselves they want to be it.

"This week is going to be a real challenge. It's Ferry Reach and looking at the weather report is probably going to be damp and a very tough. It's the most unforgiving course. It bloody hurts when you fall off on to the rock ¿ I know, I have done it!

"The courses have so far been very different. Wayne Scott is a very fit cyclist but not as technical ¿ he was really able to show his legs in the Arboretum race. He powered away.

"But on the hillier course Mark Hatherley was a real mountain goat ¿ he's the national hill climbing champion. Then on a technical course someone like Grant Goudge comes through ¿ he's a good mix. He's technical but he has also very fit."

The female novice category is a great battle each week between Sheila Ruse, Sarah Jordan, Louise Wakefield and newcomer Sarah Bonnett ¿ a Warwick school teacher.

De ste Croix said of Bonnett: "She's new to the island and the sport and is riding really, really well. She has surprised a few people about how well she is riding. She's very fit and a strong rider."

The sport is thriving after some adjustments this season explains de ste Croix.

"We have been a little lighter on the time of the races so they are more manageable to encourage people.

"We are very cognizant of the fact they are hard courses and we want people to join ¿ we don't try and put people off by racing them for an hour and a half each week and then they never come back. We have tapered the races to increase participation."

It seems to be working with 17 riders now in the male intermediate group.

"There are a lot of people vying for that one ¿ the races have been good."

Bermuda Bicycle Association head Peter Dunne tops the group after putting more into it this year. Jeff Amaral has been one of the most consistent as he reaps the benefit of a rigorous training regime but back problems have affected Paul Jacks.

The kids category has seen youngsters as young as eight years old getting involved.

"It's a really good competitive group. They are having a lot of fun out there."

q To find out more about mountain biking visit this website:

www.bermudabicycle.org.