Mark Hatherley continued his dominance in the male novices? division of the Conrad?s Mountain Bike Series on Sunday with a runaway victory at Fort Scaur.

In close to perfect conditions, Hatherley, who rides without the benefit of any suspension or cleated shoes, powered his way over nine medium laps of the course in a time of 42 minutes and 58 seconds with his nearest rival, Travis Cooper, finishing almost six minutes back.

Cooper, however, was pushed all the way to the line by Charles Dunstan with the pair finishing in 48:25 and 49:11 respectively.

Craig Eckman, Nigel Godfrey, John Wineinger and Berwin Thomas rounded out the division.

Among the Open Men Neil de ste Croix took full advantage of the absence of series points leader Garth Thomson to record his second straight victory over national champion Dave Padega.

De ste Croix finished eight long laps of the course in 66:10 with Padega 63 seconds behind.

Grant Goudge continued to show his improving fitness level, placing third in a time of 71:04. Rolf Runkel held off Geoff Wing for the fourth spot with Connor Burns finishing in sixth.

Kim McMullen rode over the longer course with the males to record a time of 72:29 which would have placed her third in that division.

Fred Swan secured his fourth victory of the season in the Male Vets? division to tie Paulo Medeiros in the points standings, both having four wins this season.

The honours for the division will not be decided until the final race of the season on January 30.

Swan recorded a time of 48:49 against Medeiros? of 49:58. Edwin Jordan returned from the holiday break showing he had not lost any of his fitness as he held off Ian Fox for third place with Mannard Packwood finishing in fifth.

In the Boys? 15-16 division Ricky Sousa held off a fast finishing Tim Fox to complete six long laps in 64:32.

Front Street Mile runner David Lunn, inspired by his second place among the under-12 boys on Friday night, made a rare appearance to win the 11-12 year old boys? race, completing eight short laps in 24:00 with Nathan Amaral finishing second in 31:42.

Alex Godfrey took honours in the 13-14 year-old boys? division and Neil Dante Wilson once again won the 10 and under boys? division ahead of Keishun Smith and Mark Godfrey.

Elizabeth Jordan competed in the 10 and under girls? division and completed six short laps of the course in a creditable time of 35:16. Elizabeth?s mother, Sarah, took honours in the female novices division, completing eight short laps in 44:23.

The penultimate race of the season takes place this coming Sunday at 9 a.m. on the new Ferry Reach course which has been described by competitors as the most gruelling of all.

With some of the division winners still far from certain, racing is expected to be fast and furious.

Further information on the series or cycling in Bermuda can be obtained online at www.bermudabicycle.org.