VICF Gives Results of Buddhoe & Beyond Road Race

The Virgin Islands Cycling Federation (VICF) held a bike race on Sunday morning, July 4, which paid tribute to St. Croix hero John “General Buddhoe” Gottlieb.  The Buddhoe & Beyond Road Race brought 33 cyclists to the starting line at Junie’s Bar & Restaurant on St. Croix’s Southside Road.

The race offered three distances (38 miles, 25 miles and 17 miles) and five racing categories (Elite, Expert, Sport, Masters and Women).

After a long haul around St. Croix’s east end twice, Stephen Swanton and Alex Betancourt were the leaders in the Elite group with just three miles to go.  After passing the Boy Scout Camp heading west to the finish at Ha’ penny, Swanton surged forward and finished the 38-mile ride in first place in 1:55:09.  Betancourt gave a great effort and was second in 1:55:40. Joey Swanson was third in 1:56:18.

The Expert group rode the same course as the Elites but only went around the east end loop one time. Narian Gentius, of Team STX340, completed the 25-mile race in 1:16:25.  Teammates Valentino Gario and Juancito Gario were second and third, respectively, in 1:16:52 and 1:16:54.

The Sport group rode an out-and-back course, with the turnaround in Mount Fancy.  The sprint finish in the 17-mile race was exciting to watch.  Mango Tree rider Randall Maynard rushed across the line in 58:53. Teammate Luke Defour was second in 58:56.  James Meyers was third in 58:57.

Starting on the line with the Sport group, the Masters group also covered 17 miles in its race.  Paul Gumbs led the group with a first-place finish in 59:32. Alvin Thomas was second in 1:00:26, while James Matthew was third in 1:10:35.

The Women’s field was led by Laverne Fredericksen in first place in 59:32. Judy Gario and Myrna Matthew rode together and finished just 8 seconds apart.  Althea Gumbs put in a good effort to round out the women’s group.

The next race on the VI Cycling Federation schedule will be Donald’s Challenge on Sunday, July 25.  For more information on cycling in the Virgin Islands, call 643-6420.

VIRGIN ISLANDS CYCLING July 4, 2021           conditions: cleat, hot

Buddhoe & Beyond Road Race

Start: Junie’s / Finish: Ha’ penny

Total Participants: 33

Elite – 38 miles 

1. Stephen Swanton 1:55:09
2. Alex Betancourt 1:55:40
3. Joey Swanson 1:56:18
4. David Morales 2:04:44
5. Glenn Massiah 2:04:55

David Parris        DNF

Expert – 25 miles                                Sport – 17 miles

1. Narian Gentius 1:16:25/ 1. Randall Maynard 58:53
2. Valentino Gario 1:16:52/ 2. Luke Defour        58:56
3. Juancito Gario 1:16:54/ 3. James Meyers 58:57
4. Ian Collins 1:16:57/ 4. Mario Butcher 58:58
5. Cumber Greaux 1:17:09/ 5. Kevin Williams 59:07
6. Robin Seila 1:17:20/ 6. Ajani Williams 59:20
7. David Defour 1:17:22/ 7. Greg Williams 1:18:55

Yves Abraham/ DNF

8. Jerry Remie 1:20:11
9. Miguel Cruz 1:20:41
10. Norbert Prospere 1:26:20
11. Troy Holloway 1:26:55
12. Morgan Theophane 1:28:57

Masters – 17 miles                       Women – 17 miles

1. Paul Gumbs 59:32/1. Laverne Fredericksen 59:32
2. Alvin Thomas 1:00:26/2. Judy Gario 1:10:37
3. James Matthew 1:10:35/3. Myrna Matthew 1:10:45
4. Althea Gumbs 1:27:13