MARIGOT—No riders were stretchered out of Bellevue on Sunday to waiting ambulances during the 1st annual ASM/ Tri Sport Mountain Bike Challenge, a relief to organisers given the race was arguably the most technically challenging one to date. That was the good news.
Encouraged to design a more difficult course for the better riders, organisers did not disappoint with a 5.3K course that struck a perfect mix of steep climbs, hair raising descents, tricky walls and bridges to get over, and exhilarating drag racing on single track.
Moments after the start, riders were sent down a steep drop-off which from the top resembled looking into an abyss but in fact was not as steep as it appeared.
More fearsome was a steep descent in a new section later that required total commitment and correct technique, or perhaps a death wish. Judging by the expressions on the faces, no rider was spared that I-think-I’m-going-over-the-handle-bars moment. There were falls but reportedly nothing serious.
Dean Hodge swept through the four laps of the course like a whirlwind to win the Elite category, not relinquishing his lead once, to exact revenge over second placed Joost Huele who edged Dean into second in Aruba. Christophe Vankerrebroek was third.
An excellent ride was turned in by young local VCG rider Otis Paines, finishing fifth in elite category, behind Herman Janssen.
Masters 1 (three laps) was won by Mark Maidwell, with Ronan Garnier in second and Otis Cotton third.
Gary Howkins won Masters 2 ahead of Michael Bacon second and Juan Pablo Piscione.
Sandra Garnier continued her dominance in the women’s category winning in front of Annelies Starreveld and Liesbeth De Falco third.
The Cadets category (14-15) was won by Remi Arrondell, Noel Kianny was second and Kenny Williams third. Juniors was won by Jose Favre with Romain Leroy second.
A short course was organised for the children categories and they raced after the adults had finished. No results of those categories were available.
