Defending series and national champion Garth Thomson returned to his winning ways at the latest Conrad’s mountain bike racing event held at the Arboretum over the weekend.

Under clear skies but in slick conditions, Thomson outlasted series leader Dave Padega (second) and ever-improving Grant Goudge (third) for his first victory of the season.

After Mark Hatherley (fourth) had attacked in the early stages of the race, Padega, Thomson, and Goudge rode to the front, exchanging the lead and pushing the pace.

While lapping intermediate division winner Wayne Scott in the latter stages of the race, Thomson attacked Padega on one of the many uphill portions of the course and was able to hold his rival off to the finish line.

Duncan Simons rode home in fifth place followed by first female Kim McMullen.

Scott again used his superior power and improving bike handling skills to lay waste to the record 15-deep intermediate field, lapping many riders and finishing well ahead of Norbert Meyer, Paul Jacks, Peter Dunne, and Ed Jordan.

Tim Fox outlasted Karl Outerbridge and Manny Packwood for sixth, while Paul Madeiros, Ian Fox, David Day and Nigel Godfrey rounded out the field.

Jeff Amaral bounced back from a disastrous performance a week earlier to claim honours in the six-strong novice men’s field ahead of Wayne Robertson, Randy Sommerville and Laurence Noble. Both Phil Hill and Dion Tucker succumbed to mechanical difficulties.

Sarah Jordan maintained her winning streak among the women’s novices while Sheila Ruse edged out Louise Wakefield in their ongoing battle for runner-up honours.

Philip Woolridge made it two in row in the 15-6 boys’ race with a strong performance, outlasting Marc Smith in his return to racing. Nathan Amaral again rode to victory uncontested in the 13-14 boys group while Mark Godfrey trumped Tadhg O’Shaughnessy to win the 11-12 boys’ division.

Gabby Arnold surprised series’ leader Elizabeth Jordan to win the 11-12 girls and created an intriguing battle in this division for the second half of the season.

Justin Ferreira won his fifth straight race in the boys’ 10 and under group ahead of Joshua Robertson and series rookies Daniel Hetzel, Ferdinand Arnold, Ryan Day and Padriaic O’Shaughnessy.