Former national champion Dave Padega powered to his third mountain bike racing victory of the season under ideal conditions at Fort Scaur Park on Sunday.

Once again hill champion Mark Hatherley led a fierce charge in the opening stages that quickly split the pack of Open riders.

And on lap two defending champion Garth Thomson and Padega managed to break free from Hatherley during the technical climb back into the park.

Thomson then fell victim to a flat tyre in his first race of the season, leaving Padega well clear of the hard-charging Grant Goudge who had to settle for the runners-up spot for the second consecutive week.

Hatherley again came home in third, followed by Geoff Wing in fourth.

Kim McMullen, the first female, overcame technical problems at the start to finish fifth overall.

Wayne Scott, meanwhile, captured his fourth straight intermediate victory, narrowly beating Paul Jacks in the closest race of the day.

While Jacks tried to dump Scott on the descents, Scott’s strong aerobic skills shone in the later stages when he managed to break free for the win.

Ironman Norbert Meyer and newcomer Peter Dunne also enjoyed the fast course, finishing third and fourth. Tim Fox crossed the line in fifth closely followed by Ed Jordan, Manny Packwood, Paulo Madeiros and Ian Fox.

Among the novices, Jeff Amaral saw a flat tyre in the early going put him out of contention as he chased his second victory.

Phil Hill and Keith Bernhard stepped up to place one-two in the category followed by Amaral and rookie Wayne Robertson, who in a display of good sportsmanship stopped to assist Amaral with his repair.

Sarah Jordan won her fourth straight novice women’s race but will be tested by veteran Sheila Ruse and rookie Louise Wakefield in the coming weeks.

Philip Woolridge won his first ever mountain bike race in the 15-16 boys’ group while Nathan Amaral pedalled to an uncontested victory among the 13-14 boys.

Elizabeth Jordan rode well to take the 11-12 girls’ race over Laura Salmon.

Justin Ferreira topped a hotly contested 10 and under boys’ event with a strong performance from start to finish, followed by the improving Lucas Salmon, Josh Robertson, Daniel Hetzel and Josh Stephenson.

The next race in the series is this Sunday at the Arboretum (8.30 a.m.)

[bul] In the first of four events in a youth mountain bike series at the Arboretum last Saturday, some 36 primary schoolchildren gave the sport a try.

Representing schools from all over the Island, riders were placed in groups according to age and tested on courses of different lengths.

The series, which continues at Warwick Academy this weekend, is being organised by Francis Patton PE teacher Garth Thomson as well as Neil de St. Croix, who runs the Tri-Hedz triathlon youth programme, Ed Jordan, Bermuda Bicycle Association’s treasurer and senior vice-president of sponsors Tokio Millennium Re.

Following this Saturday’s event, the series will continue on January 6 and January 20 in the Arboretum and Warwick Academy respectively.