Cadoret finds the way to win after Hidrio takes wrong turn

Amber Mauger secured her place as Youth Female Champion at the JCA Mountain Bike Cross Country Short Track Championships at Val de la Mare Picture: ADRIAN CADORET

WILD conditions led to one of the best races of the year for Jersey Cycling’s MTB XCC Short Track Championship race.

Val de La Mare’s course played host to 21 riders in a wet and windy setting that threw up a few curveballs.

With all classes beginning at the same time, the start would prove key.

However, no one expected multiple champion and title favourite Rhys Hidrio to make a first-corner error, as he set off on the wrong course.

By the time he was informed of his error, he was half a lap adrift of newly turned senior rider Liam Cadoret – who would take full advantage to steer himself to victory.

Unfortunately for other pre-race favourites Charlie Hart and Jay Cracknell, the evasive action they took to avoid the first-corner melee, gave them too much work to do to fight for the win.

Additionally, neither rider was able to fend off an inspired Hidrio, who fought back to second and came within 15 seconds of Cadoret before an error on the final lap meant he crossed the line 37 seconds behind the winner.

Veteran rider Robin Ovenden agonisingly came a bike-length short of steeling third from Hart, while Cracknell, returning from injury, managed to hold off youth rider Jacob Mauger to take fifth.

Mauger’s sixth-place overall secured the Youth Male title.

Martin Allix secured the Grand Veteran title, finishing ninth overall, while Amber Mauger became Female Youth champion, when Libby Hart crashed while leading Mauger.

Held directly following the senior event was the Jersey Youth Cycling academy’s first mountain bike race this season.

There were two new Under-6 boys having a go with a fast first race win for Henry Pitcher, followed by a very determined Finn Picot.

George Robinson went wire-to-wire in the Under-8s category, with Toby Pitcher in second, while Ella Dunford took the win in the girls’ category.

Alex Le Sueur led early in the Under-10s race, held over a longer course.

He maintained speed throughout to secure the win, from Maverick Bull, who fended off Vicky Grant to second – with Grant taking the girls victory.

Aston Gilbert was another start-to-finish winner in the Under-12s five-lap race.

Ellie Grant showed resilience in clawing her way back after an early crash to pip Milo Skuce into second place, taking the win for the girls also, ahead of Leah Romero.

Mountain Bike XCC Short Track ResultsMen’s Senior Champion – Liam CadoretMen’s Veteran Champion – Robin OverdenMen’s Grand Veteran Champion – Martin AllixLadies’ Senior Champion – Harley CadoretLadies’ Veteran Champion – Amanda WrightLadies’ Grand Veteran – Louise BanksYouth Male Champion – Jacob MaugerYouth Female Champion – Amber Mauger

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