Garth Thomson took line honours in Sunday’s mountain bike racing series at Ferry Reach but not without enduring some heavy pressure from the up and coming Mark Hatherley.

On a course that was dry but run in reverse of the normal route, providing what all competitors agreed was the toughest on the calendar, Thomson surged at the start to open up a gap.

Intermediate rider Wayne Scott attempted to stay with him until a fall, complicated by a mechanical problem, put paid to his plan.

This had the effect of hindering Hatherley and Neil de ste Croix in their chase. But a series of mishaps and mistakes then brought Thomson back within range while for 45 minutes de ste Croix held of Hatherley.

Eventually, however, de ste Croix succumbed to fatigue as Hatherley rode past in his pursuit of the leader.

But it was Thomson who held on with Geoff Wing coming through to finish third and Duncan Simons fourth.

In the largest and most competitive division, the intermediate men, it was Paul Jacks who came out on top, finishing ahead of multiple race winner Scott.

Peter Dunne placed a creditable third ahead of youngster Tim Fox.

In the male novices group, Keith Bernhard rode an excellent race to hold off Phil Hill and Dion Tucker who finished in second and third spot respectively. Wayne Roberstson and Jeff Amaral rounded out the division.

Sarah Jordan was the lone female in the novices division, again showing her tenacity by completing the gruelling course.

In a competitive boys’ under-ten division, the ever improving Lucas Salmon rode home first with Josh Robertson and Daniel Hetzel second and third.

Creditable performances were also turned in by Joshua Stephenson, Ryan Day and newcomer Sebastian Dill. Padraic O’Shaughnessy was forced to retire due to mechanical difficulties.

Keeping it in the family, Laura Salmon matched her younger brother’s success with a first place finish in the girls’ 11-12 division, capitalising on a flat tyre suffered by division leader Elizabeth Jordan.

Mark Godfrey was the lone competitor in the boys’ 11-12 group.

This Sunday sees not only race number seven in the Conrad’s series at Admiralty House but also the third event in the Tokio Millenium Re junior mountain bike series designed specifically for primary schoolchildren.

The fun racing gets underway at 4 p.m. at the Arboretum (Montpellier Road entrance).

Entry is free and all participants will receive a water bottle. In order to race each child must have a working bicycle and a safety helmet.

Full details of all cycling events in Bermuda can be found at www.bermudabicycle.org