Virgin Islands Cycling Federation held an open road race on Sunday, which was hosted by the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING) in Estate Bethlehem.
The course first went northeast to Glynn, then onto Midland Road, then left on Caspar Holstein Drive, then back again to VING Headquarters to complete a ~4.5-mile lap.
The Elite cyclists rode together for the first four laps of their 10-lap race (45 miles). Rey Flecha, from St. Thomas, suffered a flat in the 5th lap and had to abandon the race. Stephen Swanton and Alex Betancourt also left Joey Swanson behind mid-race and battled to the finish line. Swanton was first in 2:08:03; Betancourt took second; Swanson was third.
The Expert group also rode together from the start. James Bates attacked the hill near the VING headquarters on lap 7 of the 8-lap race. This surge was good enough to keep him first place, finishing the 36-mile race in 1:56:58. Jerry Remy and Miguel Cruz sprinted for second place; Remy crossed the line in second; Cruz was third.
The largest group was the Sport category, with twelve cyclists taking on the 22.5-mile course. While they all stuck together like glue for the full 5 laps, it was Mario Butcher who broke loose and proved to be the strongest as he sprinted to the line in first place, with Diego Lima and Joshua Belardo close behind.
In the Masters category, Yves Abraham had a strategy of his own — he took control of the 18-mile race on lap one and rode alone for the whole race, taking first place in a time of 1:04:25. Brian O’Reilly kept Abraham in sight and finished in second place in 1:04:33. Renwick Lynch was third.
In the 18-mile Women’s race, it appeared that they each paired up with another cyclist to make the race easier. Esther Ellis (58:54) and Kat Browsdon (58:58) ended up in first and second place, respectively, while Jody Goodrich held off Laverne Fredericksen for third place.
Xander Morales took the lead on the final lap of the 13.5-mile Junior race. He stayed strong to finish first in a time of 48:20, just over two minutes ahead of KoleBert Daisley. Randy Williams was third.
The final race of the V.I. Cycling season will be the V.I. National Championship Time Trial on Saturday, Aug. 12 and the V.I. National Championship Road Race on Sunday, Aug. 13.
For more information, call 513-2707.
