Ovenden triumphs over the conditions

Friday 21st November 2008, 2:58PM GMT.

FITNESS levels were tested in damp conditions on the tough Mont Rossignol cycle course for the first race of the Cycle Centre 2008/09 winter series last weekend.

Nearly 40 riders took to the start line, over an open grass field, and it was super vet Doc Slaffer who headed the field into the first set of twisting single track.

Yet it was elite rider Robin Ovenden who secured a well-ridden win – with two sharp climbs in succession, younger riders Rhys Hidrio and Andy Hull took over Slaffer’s lead, though Ovenden was close behind.

The short technical descent through the stream and quarry, sharp climbs and off-camber single track had quickly spread the field wide open, and it was left to Ovenden to tackle the lead and open up a quick gap over his challengers.

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