Fair conditions met mountain bikers for Sunday?s race at Ferry Point Park where Open series leader Garth Thomson overcame a strong challenge from Dave Padega for his fourth win of the season.

Padega, arguably the field?s strongest technical rider, along with Grant Goudge used their climbing and descending expertise to open a significant gap over Thomson and the rest of the field on a tough, hilly course.

But in the fourth lap of six, Thomson overhauled Goudge and then Padega on the way to building a minute gap in the closest finish of the season to date.

When the dust settled Mark Hatherley found himself in third place followed by top female Kim McMullen, Rolf Runkel and Boyd Kelly. Goudge, Geoff Wing and Paul Hawco all failed to finish.

Fred Swan rode a strong race from start to finish to capture the Intermediate category over Paul Jacks and a hard-charging Manny Packwood to break the tie atop the points standings.

Karl Outerbridge enjoyed a fourth place finish, while Matthew Godfrey managed to hold off Ed Jordan and Nigel Godfrey for fifth.

Dexter Swan won his third straight Novices race just ahead of Jeff Amaral. Newcomer James O? Shaughnessy grabbed third followed by young Cameron Madeiros and rookie Dion Tucker.

Sarah Jordan captured the Novices women?s race.

Reigning Downhill national champion Tim Fox confidently topped the 15-16 age group field over points leader Geoffrey Burns, followed by Marc Smith and Thomas Godfrey. Alex Godfrey won the 13-14 boys? division uncontested.

David Lunn jr won his first cross-country race of the season in a hotly-contested battle with Neil Dante Wilson and Keishun Smith, while points leader Nathan Amaral did not finish.

Ryan Day won his second under-10 boys? event, bringing him to within five points of leader Justin Ferreira. Elizabeth Jordan took victory in the girls? under-10 group.

Action resumes this Sunday at Hog Bay Park, beginning at 8.30 a.m.