Crucian Jamie Keys continued his dominance of Virgin Islands cycling with another road race victory Sunday.
After two postponements the Virgin Islands Cycling Federation was able to hold the South Shore Road Race on April 9. The course started at Junie's Restaurant in Peter's Rest and took the newly paved South Shore road past Great Pond and the new Divi Carina Bay Hotel to Point Udall. After rounding the Millennium Monument the route then returned on the same course for a finish at the entrance to the Cane Garden Plantation. The distance was a rolling, windy 30 miles for the "A" group and 25 miles for the "B" group, said Mike McQueston, president of the VICF..
Sixteen riders started the race, five of them competing for the "A" honors and the remainder in the "B" group.
"The rolling hills at the start spread the field a bit with a group of seven or so staying tightly bunched and working well together," McQueston said. "That continued on for the first five miles, until strong cross winds and short hills whittled the leaders down to Tom Guthrie, John Harper, Neil Callahan and Jamie Keys."
The four riders remained together all the way to the half way point, at Point Udall, until Keys, Callahan, and Harper pulled away form Guthrie on the descent from the monument. Shortly after, Harper was dropped from the leaders on one of the numerous climbs, as Keys and Callahan had the fresher legs.
"These two worked together, trading turns at the front, pulling in the wind and soon distanced all other competitors."
Keys, however, wanted the win and made a strong move that Callahan could not match with seven miles to go. Keys shot past Callahan and quickly formed a gap that could not be closed, McQueston said.
"The riders then finished solo, each working by themselves, flying along at over 35 mph due to a strong tail wind," McQueston said.
Keys, the 1999 national champion, again proved that he is the strongest rider in the VI, taking the win in 1:20:16 with Callahan less than a minute behind. John Harper took third.
The "B" group race was dominated by Kent Bradbury, who rode solo for almost the entire race.
The next race will be the East End Loop Time Trial on April 23rd at 7am starting at the Solitude Store. For more info contact Mike McQueston at 772-2343.
A group 30 miles
1. Jamie Keys 1:21:16
2. Neil Callahan 1:22:08
3. John Harper 1:25:20
4. Tom Guthrie 1:27:44
5. Jamie Bate 1:38:08
B group 25.7 Miles
1. Kent Bradbury 1:14:38
2. Mikie Chico 1:17:58
3. Aaron Hutchins 1:19:16
4. Bob Guliford 1:25:57
5. Rachel Witty same
6. Eric Hutchins 1:27:44
7 Will Franks 1:30:36
8. Victor Cruz 1:33:52
9. Owen Elliot 1:38:11
10. Peter Brown 1:43:26
11.Rodney Perdue 1:53:00
