MARIGOT—Dean Hodge Jr retained his mountain bike championship title in Bellevue on Sunday making it three wins in a row but unusually the win also came with some controversy, and at the expense of a rider called Alexis Lebert.
Lebert was perhaps the only rider to match Dean’s pace, at least on the first two of the four laps for the Elites, and attempted to pass Dean on the single track on the top of the Princess climb before the descent. Lebert was unable to pass and ended up crashing and damaging his derailleur and was forced to retire.
Asked about it afterwards, Dean said: “He tried to pass on a single track in a spot surrounded by rocks which was impossible. We both ended up on the ground and I got a blow on the knees. After that I still had a good lead on Dick (Luttekes) and Mark (Maidwell) and it was survival mode from there on. The climbs were horrible, I had no power and Mark caught right up at the end.”
Lebert shrugged off the incident but insisted it was not fair play or good sportsmanship on Dean’s part.
Hodge clinched first overall and first in Elites in a time of 1:38:02 but only a minute faster than Mark Maidwell who was first in Masters 1 (four laps) and second overall. Except for the first lap Maidwell was faster than Dean on the next three laps.
Nicolas Warme was second in Elites (1:52:32) and Tom Morisseau (three laps only) third. Karl Spijker in his first mountain bike race rode superbly to take second in Masters 1 (1:47:26). Frederic Quetat was third (1:51:01).
Dick Luttekes won Masters 2 (1:46: 54) putting him in third place overall. Ronan Garnier was second (1:59:50).
Sandra Garnier won the women’s race (three laps) in 1:35:40. Annelies Starreveld was second in 1:40:51.
Tha Cadets category (15-16 years) was won by Lucas Theroux (1:00:27), second went to Matheo Gosse (1:00:53) and third place to Cedric Victor (1:00: 57).
Conditions for the race were excellent, the 5K course slightly moist after the rain of Thursday for better traction and the temperature cool.
Races for the children started after the adults on a shorter course. Categories included Benjamin’s (11-12 years), Minimes (13-14 years), Poussins (8 years old) and Pupilles (9-10 years).
