Twenty Adults and Four Cadets took part in the finale of the 2014 Jeep Mountain Bike Series, the Peter Island Challenge, with Philippe Leroy (above) declared overall Champion after yet another victory. Photo: Provided

The adults completed two laps of a course which saw them racing out to the helipad from the start at Deadman’s Bay, up to the top of the island, past the wind turbines, around the resort’s Sunset Loop and back to the beach. The two-lap race was completed in about an hour by most people, and saw them cover 11-miles and climb 1,500 feet. Photo: Provided

With little surprise - even sporting a cast on his right arm - Philippe Leroy won the Peter Island Race on Sunday, and was crowned champion of the 2014 JEEP BVI Mountain Bike Series. It was Leroy’s eighth win in the 10-race Series. However, Justin Smit, a relative newbie to the BVI mountain bike circuit, shocked Leroy by finishing a mere 30 seconds behind in an unexpectedly strong performance.

Justin Smit was second and Antony Spencer was third. However, neither was in contention for podium places in the JEEP BVI Mountain Bike Series, the final results of which were decided further down the field.

Going into this last race, Rusty Burns and Jim Cullimore were tied for second place with 161 points each. Jim pulled it out of the bag, finishing fifteenth and one place ahead of Rusty, earning him the vital one point to take second place in the Series and relegating Rusty to the third spot on the podium! Both had competed in all ten Series races.

The adults completed two laps of a course which saw them racing out to the helipad from the start at Deadman’s Bay, up to the top of the island, past the wind turbines, around the resort’s Sunset Loop and back to the beach. The two-lap race was completed in about an hour by most people, and saw them cover 11-miles and climb 1,500 feet.

Thirteen year old Liam Blok, racing as a Junior, put in a stellar performance, placing sixth overall.

Juniors - 11 to 13 Years

In the Juniors race the challenge was set for one complete lap of the adult course, which involved the steep, long and hot climb of Peter Island over the Sunset Loop. However, two Juniors accepted the challenge and completed the full course.
In a close finish, John Pettigrew was the victor and John Cullimore came a close second. Alisha Ayres also put in a hard morning’s ride by completing some of the hill climb and several repeat sections of the full course.

1. John Pettigrew, 2. John Cullimore, 3. Alisha Ayres

Cadets - 10 and Under

The Cadets were also set a challenging course whereby they had to complete two laps out to the helipad and back to the beach, which included some tricky and steep sections testing the young athletes’ fitness and bike handling skills. At the half way mark Tai Thomas was out in front but hotly pursued by Gethin Jones, Alex Fountain and Noah Cottreau.

Tai Thomas stretched his lead on the second lap to be the clear winner this time around, followed by Alex Fountain who was the winner last time out. In third came the ever improving Noah Cottreau who dug deep to complete the two laps. Young Jones, who unfortunately had a slight navigational issue, rounded out the field for the final race of the season.

1. Tai Thomas, 2. Alex Fountain, 3. Noah Cottreau, 4. Gethin Jones

Peter Island Race 2014 Results

1. Philippe Leroy, 2. Justin Smit, 3. Antony Spencer, 4. Dave Pettigrew, 5. Iain Walker, 6. Liam Blok, 7. Carolina Pettigrew (1st - Ladies), 8. Alastair Abrehart, 9. Adrian Dale, 10. Sally Blackmore (2nd - Ladies), 11. Chris Potieger, 12. Laurens Blok, 13. Gary Salter, 14. John Ayres, 15. Jim Cullimore, 16. Rusty Burns, 17. Dara Smith (3rd - Ladies), 18. John Pettigrew, 19. John Cullimore

Fun/Novice

1. Rhiannon Jones