MacInnis Looby mastered adverse conditions at Ferry Beach yesterday morning and beat off a spirited challenge by Brian Steinhoff to take top honours during the latest round of the Bermuda Bicycle Association's mountain bike championship.

Looby covered the six-lap long course in one hours,10 minutes and 18 seconds while Steinhoff was a minute and 50 seconds behind.

Despite leading the pack home Looby found the elements quite challenging, admitting that it was one of the toughest days of racing he had experienced in a while.

"The conditions were really hard, we had everything from sand to slippery rocks to climbing up jagged lime stone and descending through rough bush and battling these obstacles in the rain, it was just tough,'' said Looby.

"But it was good to see so many others out and doing well under tough conditions on a day perhaps turned some off from coming out, it was especially good to see so many first time riders out.

"It really surprised me to see so many of the riders, who haven't ridden frequently, come out and tackle the course on such a difficult day.''

Young Kyle Smith, riding in the 11-12 year age group, is one rider who continues to improve. He won his group by an overwhelming margin.

Wanda Godfrey, competing on her mountain bike for the first time, had a good ride with a time of 53 minutes and 21 seconds over a five-lap short course. She competes regularly on the road racing circuit.

First time rider David Chapman, who won the novice category, could not drop Godfrey — the two crossing the finish line at the same time in an exciting sprint finish.