Garth Thomson made it two wins out of two as the new mountain biking season continued at Admiralty House on Sunday with a field of 29 riders.

With conditions on the tight, technical course slippery and the cyclists also hindered by blustery winds, Thomson adapted well as he chalked up another victory in the men?s open category.

At the start of the nine-lap race it was Neil de St Croix who set the pace as he employed blocking tactics to keep Thomson on his rear wheel.

But last year?s champion made his move on the fourth lap and never looked back as he slowly opened up a sizeable lead which at the finish had grown to just over two minutes.

Thomson finished in 43 minutes, 39 seconds with de St.Croix second in 45:47.

Close behind were two New Zealanders, Geoff Wing, who finished third 43 seconds after de St.Croix in 46:30, and Alan Reid in fourth with a time of 48:57, both showing considerable improvement on their first week performances.

With the absence of Wayne Scott and last year?s Novices champion Dave Padega, Steve Williams was able to improve on his previous week?s sixth place to finish fifth in 51:50. Grant Gouge was the most improved from the prior week, jumping from tenth to sixth in 54:18 and pushing Rolf Runkel into seventh (56:52).

Peter Matcham endured a tough start to his first race of the season, breaking his chain within 20 seconds of the start. He managed to find a bike that wasn?t being used and continued the race about five minutes after the other competitors to eventually finish eighth in 65:12.

In the Veterans? race Paulo Madeiros clocked a quick 41:54 for seven laps but was not far ahead of long-time nemesis Ian Fox, who finished just under two minutes back in 43:47 with Mannard Packwood securing third in 45:27.

In the boys? 15-16 category Conner Burns continued his dominance, finishing his six laps in 43:33 with Matthew Godfrey taking second in 45:57. Aaron Fenn and James Burrows battled for third spot with Fenn prevailing in 53:20 and Burrows clocking 55:08.

In the boys? 13-14, Tim Fox reversed the previous week?s result for a close victory over his rival Ricky Sousa Jr.

This time around Fox completed five laps in a fast 34:18 with Sousa just 20 seconds behind in 34:38, both finishing well ahead of the others in their group.

In the Novice category Tristan Smith was able to get the better of first-time racer Rickai Lightbourne, Smith finishing the seven laps in 54:03 with Lightbourne clocking 58:17.

In the boys? 11-12 division Dujuan Simons held off Alex Godfrey over their four laps but not by much. Simons finished first in 35:24 and Godfrey second in 38:58.

Nathan Amaral won the boys? 10 and under category in 19:41, just 27 seconds ahead of last week?s winner Leonard Williams (20:08).

Racing continues this Sunday at 9 a.m. over the longer courses at Ferry Reach Park.