Bermuda Bicycle Association's winter mountain biking season is heading towards the finish line.

In the eight-race Conrads' series, seven events have been contested at parks from St. George's (Ferry Reach Park) to Fort Scaur in Sandys in all sorts of weather and different conditions.

Last Sunday saw the field take to a muddy Admiralty House Park following heavy overnight rain.

While the skies cleared for the race, the course suffered making for extremely slippery conditions for all riders who ranged in all ages from the 10 and under group to those over 40.

In the Open category, Mark Hatherley showed that his combination of fitness and handling make him a clear favourite going into the February 3 National Championships at Ferry Reach, though Wayne Scott continues to improve his skills making him a top challenger.

Grant Goudge, recovering from surgery, should also be able to make it to the start line next month and his domination of an earlier race at Ferry Reach suggests that he might be the man to beat.

Though the lone entrant in the women's Open category all season, Kim McMullen continues to dazzle with her ability to snake down slopes that many others elect to walk.

The largest numbers this season have turned out in the men's Intermediate category and a battle for the top of the series has seen numerous changes so far.

Current leader Peter Dunne finally came out on top this past week, allowing him a slight four-point lead over Paul Jacks.

With Jacks taking full points at the next race as race director, the season is likely to come down to the National Championships which is included as part of the series.

While Thomas Godfrey is currently in third place, a fit Jeff Amaral is chasing Ed Jordan who sits in fourth. A dozen other competitors in the category will make the final clash the determining race of the season.

The other contest attracting attention is the women novices, where series leader Sarah Jordan is being challenged by Sheila Ruse and Louise Wakefield.

Early season leader Sarah Bonnett has been absent for enough races to push her off of the podium but the championship race just might lure her back to the competition. With no one statistically out of the running, this, too, is likely to go right down to the wire.

The men's novice has seen a demonstration of just what it takes to be successful in mountain biking

Super fit runner, triathlete and cyclist Riaan Naude, in his inaugural season of mountain biking, has found that on the more technical courses such as Admiralty House, a good aerobic engine is only worth so much.

Scott Mello now leads the group, largely due to his handling skills and willingness to go downhill faster than his rivals.

But Naude is showing a rapidly improving set of skills and should be able to take on the January 27 race course at Hog Bay Park with greater success. Whether he is able to combine the technical aspects of Ferry Reach with the more aerobic flat sections has yet to be seen.

The junior riders have shown great improvement over the season.

Brighton Swan and Mark Godfrey are pushing each other hard each week and would be challenged by Nathan Amaral except for a mid-season injury which has left him on the sidelines.

Gabriella Arnold and Elizabeth Jordan have already met five times this season with Arnold taking the win each time.

Daniel Oatley and Ryan Day each lead their age groups and will be looking to close out their seasons with wins in the final two races.

Still remaining in the calendar for this winter are the eight points series race on January 27 at Hog Bay Park and the Winner's Edge National Championships on February 3 at Ferry Reach Park. Both events start at 8.30 a.m.

The week after the championships the BBA will host their mountain bike awards event and fun race.

The BBA have also hosted three of the four scheduled Tokio Youth Mountain Biking events at the Arboretum.

Last Saturday some 50 primary school children participated in this event in the park that includes races and skills tests.

Sponsored again this year by Tokio Millennium Re, the final event will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 4.00 p.m. at the Arborteum.