VI Cycling Federation Holds Ride to the Rings Road Race

Just as the Olympics brings together athletes of all nations and levels, the Virgin Islands Cycling Federation (VICF) brought together cyclists on Sunday morning who put forward their best efforts.  In the spirit of the Olympic Movement, the VICF encourages a high level of fair play and friendship among its members.

The morning’s very windy Ride to the Rings Road Race was sponsored by the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (VIOC). VICF offered primes to the fastest cyclist in each category to reach a designated spot during the race.  Elite rider Stephen Swanton earned $50 for arriving first to the top of Yacht Club Hill; Expert rider Dominic Pugliese earned $40; Ralph Bartlett was awarded $30 for reaching the gym at Beeston Hill in the Sport category; first-time Masters rider Clifford Joseph earned $30; Judy Gario also won $30 in the Women’s category.

The Elite group started the race at 6:30 a.m. with a fast lap around the east end of St. Croix and continuing to the Christiansted Bypass, through Beeston Hill to the South Shore, then back to Cafe Kaleidoscope for a total of 50 miles.  The group of Stephen Swanton, Sue Brown, David Morales and Glenn Massiah posted a time of 1:15:08 for the first lap.  By the top of Yacht Club Hill on the second lap, Stephen noticed an issue with his stem, which greatly affected his steering.  He continued and then dropped the group by Cheeseburgers.  Stephen finished in first place in 2:33:55; Glenn Massiah was second in 2:34:59; Sue Brown out sprinted David Morales at the line for third.

Still on cloud nine from his victory in Saturday’s time trials, Expert rider Dom Pugliese worked together with Scott Marusa to hammer the 25-mile course in 1:13:56.  Scott was close behind in second place with a time of 1:14:02; Ian Collins was third.

The Bartlett brothers carried the Sport class on their 15-mile race.  While Ralph earned the prime at Beeston Hill, Hubert out sprinted him at the line for first place; Yves Abraham was third.

On the same course, Clifford Joseph won the Masters race, while Judy Gario won in the Women’s division.

Thanks go to the VIOC for sponsoring this weekend of great racing. The VIOC will be holding a golf tournament fundraiser on June 18 at the Buccaneer. 

The next VICF race will be held at 7 a.m., Sunday, June 25: the Quadruple Bypass.

Virgin Islands Cycling Federation: Ride to the Rings Road Race

Sunday, June 11, Start/Finish: Café Kaleidoscope

Elite: 50.8 miles           Total           lap 1           lap 2

1. Stephen Swanton * 2:33:55   —   1:15:08      1:18:47
2. Glenn Massiah 2:34:59   —         1:15:08      1:19:51
3. Sue Brown 2:35:01       —            1:15:08      1:19:53
4. David Morales 2:35:02     —       1:15:08      1:19:54
5. Robin Seila 2:46:40     —            1:18:30      1:28:10
6. Mark Defour 2:46:40     —          1:18:30      1:28:10
7. Joey Swanson 2:50:24   —        1:21:22      1:29:02
8. Troy Holloway 2:51:32     —        1:21:22      1:30:10

     John Harper             DNF

Expert: 25.3 miles

1. Dominic Pugliese * 1:13:56
2. Scott Marusa 1:14:02
3. Ian Collins 1:20:51
4. Jerry Remie 1:21:12
5. Norbert Prospere 1:24:32
6. Alvin Thomas 1:29:41

     Miguel Cruz               DNF

     Jay Gleason                DNF

Sport: 15.2 miles

1. Hubert Barlett 0:47:45
2. Ralph Bartlett * 0:47:45
3. Yves Abraham 0:50:39
4. Hubert Abraham 0:50:59
5. Garfield Ferdinand 0:54:57
6. Valentino Gario 0:57:31

Masters: 15.2 miles

1. Clifford Joseph * 0:56:08
2. Joe Cherkis 0:57:56

Women: 15.2 miles

1. Judy Gario * 1:02:48
2. Angela Cherkis 1:03:23

* = awarded prime