July 29, 2008 — Robert Bumann rode to an easy victory Sunday in the V.I. Cycling Federation's 42-mile El Ocho bicycle race, held on St. Croix's East End.
The figure eight, 21-mile loop featured at least eight short, steep climbs, which Bumann used to ride all other cyclists off his wheel, finishing alone in 1:47:57. Only John Riggs was able to hang on for one lap, and ultimately fell back with five miles to go on the second lap, coming in second in 1:50:11. Glenn Messiah was third in 1:53:11.
The 21-mile Expert Category race saw the boys from Twin City use a series of two-man attacks to annihilate the field. After controlling a few early efforts by STX 340, Twin City riders Apolinar Acevedo and Jonathan Cruz rolled across the line in first and second in 55:15 and 55:17. Teammate Miguel Cruz was third in 56:12.
Brad Chaffee and Joseph Thomas both misjudged the finish line in the 13-mile Sport Race, with Chaffee coasting across the real line in 41:26. Thomas was second, just a few feet back. Jose Perez used a borrowed bike to take third in 56:12.
Denise Blanchette overtook Elizabeth Nurnberger with just two miles to go to capture first in the 13-mile Women's Division, posting a time of 46:39 to Nurnberger's 47:00. Darynette Acevedo was third in 48:09.
The next race on the schedule will be a practice mountain bike race on Sunday, Aug. 3, at a new course at Ferdi's Forest on the top of Morningstar Hill. For more information, call 773-8456.
