Mountain bikers experience challenging conditions at Hog Bay Park

Sport Staff

Created: Feb 02, 2022 07:59 AM

Kavin Smith navigates a challenging Hog Bay Park course, during Sunday’s Fat Tire Massive FTM Mountain Bike series. Smith finished seventh in the Men’s Open 60 Minute class, which was won by James Holloway. (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

The slippery conditions at Hog Bay Park caused by Saturday’s torrential rain, made for some exciting racing in the fifth race of the Fat Tire Massive FTM Mountain Bike series on Sunday.

The week of rain turned the idyllic park into a series of deceptive gentle turns and challenging hairpin bends, as the competitors tested their skills in the tough conditions, with many experiencing mishaps.

Duncan Simons competes during the Fat Tire Massive FTM Mountain Bike series at Hog Bay Park on Sunday. (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

James Holloway won the Male Open 60 minutes class, completing eight laps as he led home the 27 riders in a winning time of 51min 51.56 sec.

The next eight finishers all completed seven laps, with Hans Hirschi finishing second in a time of 45:19 and Cameron Morris third in 46:15. Alan Potts (46:40) and David Byrne (47:03) competed the top five.

In the Female Open 60 minutes class, Jennifer Wilson and Ashley Robinson were the two competitors, with both completing five laps. Wilson had a winning time of 45:01.9, while Robinson finished in 51:09.9.

Action from the Fat Tire Massive FTM Mountain Bike series on Sunday at Hog Bay Park. (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

In the Male Open 30 minutes race, the top finishers all completed eight laps, as Wendell Burrows took first place in a time of 31:18, with Sherman Darrell second in 32:10 and Howard Williams third in 32:23.

Christine Soutter, Zina Jones, Alexandra Wilberz and Florence Pedro were the four competitors, with Soutter finishing first in 31:52 and Jones second in 34:25, as both completed seven laps.

Wilberz and Pedro completed six laps and recorded times of 30:03 and 35:20.

James Holloway came out on top in the Men’s Open 60 minute class at the Fat Tire Massive FTM Mountain Bike series on Sunday at Hog Bay Park (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

Junior races saw Jackson Langley and S’Nya Cumbermack winning the 13-16 male and female races. Langley completed nine laps, as he won his race in 31:40 over Gordon Smith, who finished eight laps in a time of 31:36.

Cumbermack won the female race in 34:41, after competing seven laps. Second was Skye Ferguson, who clocked 31:24 over six laps.

Action from the Fat Tire Massive FTM Mountain Bike series on Sunday at Hog Bay Park. (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

In the 12 and under races, Makao Butterfield was first among 27 finishers in the male category, clocking 15:23 over 13 laps. Jeon Wolfe was second in 15:35, and Rylan DeSilva third in 15:55, also over 13 laps.

The female winner was Daisy Langley in a time of 15:51 over 12 laps, while Kelise Wade was second, completing 11 laps in a time of 15:11.

Races six and seven of the FTM series will take place on February 13 at Southlands and February 27 at Ferry Reach.