ROBIN OVENDEN, an Island Games medallist at mountain biking, broke the course record for the Jubilee Hill Prologue at the start of the Caesarean Cycling Club’s CC Easter Stage Race on Thursday evening.

Personal bests fell as the field of over 50 riders were assisted by a strong westerly tail wind pushing them up the 1.7 mile course from the Watersplash to the top of Jubilee Hill.

CCC’s Ovenden rode a blistering race, to finish in a remarkable 4 min 15 sec -smashing the course record of 4.28, previously held by Sam Firby. CCC’s Adam Wojtkiewicz placed second, 16 seconds adrift.

Fifteen riders came in under 5 minutes, including CCC’s Dave Mayman at 4:41, as first veteran, showing a remarkably strong recovery just six months after serious injury. Caesarean’s Chris Seviour also completed a fine ride as fastest junior just 3 seconds behind at 4:44.

The first lady home was VSJ’s Jemima (Jim) Davis, in her first race of the season, with a strong ride in 5:06.

The combination of gales and wet roads yesterday morning resulted in the cancellation of the Stage 2 Watersplash Road Race. Action was scheduled to resume this morning with the Stage 3 Time Trial, over a circuit in St Ouen’s Bay.