The race held on Sunday, June 9, was quite a challenge for most. The Elite division made their way around St. Croix’s East End Loop three times, while adding a trip to the top of Point Udall on the first two laps, for a total of 51 miles. Apol Acevedo and Mark Defour took off like lightning, leading the pack of riders 5 on the first lap. After suffering mechanical issues, Defour abandoned the race and left Acevedo to ride alone for about 40 miles. Narian Gentius and Glenn Massiah stuck close together for most of the grueling race and finished second and third place, respectively.
The large Expert category divided themselves rather quickly as Deve Barbour and Troy Holloway pulled away as a strong force while climbing Point Udall on the first lap. Barbour proved to be a better climber today and dropped Holloway on Grassy Point Hill. Barbour finished the 34-mile race in 1:37:53. Holloway was the second finisher with a time of 1:39:16 and Morgan Theophane was third. Laverne Fredericksen and Melissa Banuelos finished side by side with a time of 1:57:20.
The small Sport field rode "just" one lap of the East End Loop, which was led by young Valentino Gario. Joey Swanson, while riding his new Trek Madone, finished a close second. Ivan Espinosa was third. Judy Gario was the lone female in the Sport category this morning. Peter Duthie and Fred Rollins rode in the Masters’ division.
East End Road Race, June 9, conditions: slightly windy, cool
Total Time /LAP 1 /LAP 2 /LAP 3
Elite – 51 miles /Total Time /EEL+PU/ EEL+PU /EEL
1 Apolinar Acevedo Jr. 2:30:35 0:52:07 0:55:32 0:42:56
2 Narian Gentius 2:37:49 0:54:39 0:58:41 0:44:29
3 Glenn Massiah 2:45:59 0:54:17 1:00:39 0:51:03
David Parris DNF 0:58:26 1:08:29
Mark Defour DNF 0:52:07
Expert – 34 miles /Total Time /EEL+PU /EEL
1 Deve Barbour 1:36:53 0:54:32 0:42:21
2 Troy Holloway 1:38:16 0:55:58 0:42:18
3 Morgan Theophane 1:47:52 1:01:01 0:46:51
4 James Meyers 1:50:20 1:01:01 0:49:19
5 Laverne Fredericksen 1:56:20 1:04:23 0:51:57
Melissa Banuelos 1:56:20 1:04:23 0:51:57
7 Clive Parris 2:05:55 1:05:29 1:00:26
8 Yves Abraham 2:11:03 1:10:58 1:00:05
Shawn Baptiste DNF 1:06:37
Mervin Mills DNF 1:06:40
JJ Cruz DNF
Sport – 13 miles /Total Time
1 Valentino Gario 0.47.16
2 Joey Swanson 0.47.22
3 Ivan Espinosa 0.51.14
4 Judy Gario 0.55.56
Masters – 13 miles /Total Time
1 Peter Duthie 0.52.46
2 Fred Rollins 1.04.47
The next race on the schedule is the Two-Person Time Trial at 7 a.m. on Sunday, June 16. The out-and-back race starts at Cramer’s Park, heads to Ha’Penny and back. This is an open category race — racers can ride with anyone from any racing category. More information will be sent out mid-week. Please find a partner this week so that you can practice once or twice, or talk about your strategy.