April 23, 2007 – The St. Croix Ironman 70.3 features one ascent up the Beast, the 600- foot, 14 percent climb that has become world famous for its difficulty. On Sunday, the Virgin Islands Cycling Federation hosted a race that featured three climbs of the monster hill, making it one of the most difficult road-race courses imaginable, the Beast 3.
Robert Bumann and John Riggs leapt to the front the first time up the Beast, in the three- lap, 45-mile race. The two remained off the front for the initial two laps, putting seven minutes on the chase group. The third time was the charm, however, as Riggs cramped at the bottom of the hill and Bumann pounced to take a seven-minute victory, in a course record 2:14:50. Riggs held on for second, with Juancito Gario out sprinting Paul Trivino for third.
Things weren't much easier for the two-loop, Expert category. Even with Twin City teammates, Emmanuel Maldonado, Jason Snow and Alex Betancourt off the front together, team tactics have no meaning when it is every man for his self, struggling to get just one more pedal stroke up the hill. The three finished in 1:40:06.
The one-loop, Sport group, saw Jonathan Cruz and Troy Holloway work together the entire way, and they finished together in 50:39, four minutes ahead of Ferdi Abraham. It was a wet, overcast day, Sunday, April 22.
For more information, go to www.vicf.org.
Elite – 45 miles——–1——-2——-3—TOTAL
1.Robert Bumann@–44:28–45:40–44:42– 2:14:50
2.John Riggs#–44:28–45:41–54:36–2:24:45
3.Juancito Gario@–47:48–49:14–50:23–2:27:25
4.Paul Trivino–47:48–49:14–50:24–2:27:26
5.Cumber Greaux–47:28–50:42–51:58–2:30:38
Danney Fontenelle–47:28–50:42–51:58–2:30:38
6.Glenn Massiah–47:48–52:55–53:13–2:33:56
Expert – 30 miles———1——2——TOTAL
1. E. Maldonado#—–46:56–53:10–1:40:06
2. Jason Snow#——-46:56–53:11–1:40:07
3. Alex Betancourt#–46:56–53:12–1:40:08
4. Miguel Cruz——–57:43–56:43–1:54:26
Edwin Cruz———DNF
Sport – 15 miles——–TOTAL
1. Jonathan Cruz#——50:39
2. Troy Holloway——50:39
3. Ferdi Abraham@—-54:21
4. Luis Cruz————-54:52
5. Gary Jett*———-1:18:00
6. Paul Gillette*——1:25:12
Today's Team Points
Twin City – @ – 17 pts
STX340 – # – 7 pts
Total Team Points
Twin City – @ – 86 pts
STX340 – # – 62 pts
@ = STX340
# = Twin City
* = cyclist over 50 yrs
