FLO Thomas claimed cycling silver in the time trial – but Jersey were denied a team bronze on a technicality as only four teams completed the course.
Thomas finished 33 seconds slower than Guernsey’s Hannah Brehaut, who claimed individual gold, while Gwenno Hughes, from Ynys Môn, took home the bronze.
But the Orkney cyclists failed to take to the start line, meaning only gold and silver were handed out in the women’s team time trial as only four teams raced.
Speaking after claiming her silver medal, Thomas said: ‘I was quite surprised because I’ve been ill last week and coming back after having a baby, so it’s been tough and didn’t know what to expect coming back. I’m glad I pulled it out the back.
‘[The] support was amazing. Even along the coast road, which is quite a long stretch, there were people out of their houses with pots and pans. There was literally an entire school class outside – you come past them and hear just a roar of school kids, which was just amazing.’
Thomas said that she had been unaware of the rule which denied her and her teammates – Katie Silva and Chloe Watson Hill – a team bronze.
‘It just seems like such a technicality. Orkney literally just needs to come to the start line and then we would have have got the bronze so that’s really disappointing and obviously I’m gutted for the team that we couldn’t get those medals.’
In the men’s race, John Pallot secured bronze for Jersey, edging out teammate Jack Rebours for a podium place.
Isle of Wight’s Kevin Chant won gold with Guernsey’s Sam Culverwell taking silver.
The team event also went to Isle of Wight, with Guernsey in second and the Jersey team comprising Pallot, Rebours, Ollie Cadin, Zack Hamon and Dean Robson taking bronze.
Pallot said: ‘I think that’s one of the most perfect rides I’ve done this year. I had a plan coming into it, I executed the plan well and I knew the course – I researched it thoroughly [over] the last couple of months and I think that really paid off.
‘The course itself – it’s difficult but I think it suited me quite well and I did quite well managing the wind. I think that was key today.’
