The perfect weather on Sunday morning, Feb. 12, made for fast times in the Triple Bypass Road Race, a cycling race hosted by the Virgin Islands Cycling Federation (VICF). Last year’s leading cyclist, Stephen Swanton, was matched by newcomer, Quintin Chiapperino, in the 36-mile, three-lap Elite race.
The course brought cyclists up Lowry Hill from the start, continued along East End Road to the Christiansted Bypass and then through the Beeston Hill area. It then went left at Cool Out Bar going onto the South Shore Road back to the start.
Swanton and Chiapperino set a fast pace, which launched them further ahead of the rest of the field on each lap. It came down to the sprint finish for first place; young Quintin used his powerful legs to finish 3 seconds ahead of Stephen in a time of 1:49:30. Glenn Massiah dropped the peloton on the third lap to finish in third place in a time of 1:55:56. Sue Brown was the lone female finisher in a time of 1:58:24.
“Young was the theme of the day,” said VICF Secretary Theresa Harper. The Expert category was led by a trio, including two school-aged cyclists who also compete as triathletes, runners and swimmers. After placing third in yesterday’s Toast to The Captain running race, 15-year-old Dominic Pugliese took the gold in the 24-mile bike race in a time of 1:15:40. Ian Collins, a new-to-the-island experienced cyclist, finished second and 13-year-old Mikey Dizon-Bumann was third. Laverne Fredericksen was the only female finisher in the Expert category.
Norbert Prospere was unchallenged in the Sport category, completing the 12-mile race in 41:02. Alvin Thomas was second in 43:02 and Ian Bass was third in 46:59. Judy Gario, the only woman in the Sport race, was fourth overall.
The Masters division rode the same distance as the Sport group. Hubert Bartlett crushed his competition with his winning time of 40:55. Hubert Abraham was second in 43:06; Chris Dorsey was third, just two seconds behind.
The next race on the schedule is the new Lime Tree Bay Criterium set for 7 a.m., Sunday, Feb 26. For more information on cycling in the Virgin Islands, call 332-6282.
