Despite the wet, windy morning on Sunday, May 3, the Virgin Islands Cycling Federation reported a good turnout for the Fresh Start Road Race, which started and finished at the former Great Pond Store on St Croix’s south side.
The small Elite field stayed together as they rode comfortably for the first two laps of the 45-mile race. Stephen Swanton pulled away from Alex Betancourt and Glenn Massiah on the third and final lap with about 10 miles to go. Swanton finished in a total time of 2:11:01. Betancourt was second in 2:13:52 and Massiah was third in 2:15:35. David Parris abandoned the race after lap 2.
The 30-mile Expert race was the most exciting race of the morning, with the first six finishers within 8 seconds of each other when crossing the finish line. There was mention of an early charge by the Boy Scout Camp, which is about one mile from the finish. Tom Keery, who visits St. Croix often, reached the line first in 1:33:01. Keery’s visiting friend, John Sales, was second, and Ted Prosper was third. Rounding out the rest of the group were Wayne Nichols, Tom Scull and James Bates, respectively. Esther Ellis was the lone female in the group.
Herbert Mathurin dominated the Sport field in the one-lap race. He finished the 15-mile race in 45:01. Over two minutes behind was Clive Parris in a time of 47:06; Joshua Belardo was third. Visiting multi-sport athlete Beth Goodell was the lone female in the group.
There was a record turnout of seven ladies in the Women’s division. Riding 15 miles, Myrtle Emmanuel (57:25) was nearly two minutes ahead of second-place finisher Laverne Fredericksen. Fredericksen suffered a derailleur malfunction with about 3 miles to go; Enid Francis was not far behind in third place in a time of 59:32.
Five Masters riders (55+) took to the starting line for their 15-mile race. Brian O’Reilly was challenged by Wayne Gonzalez but was victorious as he crossed the line. Gonzalez earned second place by one second in a time of 52:16; Nelson Rojas was third in 58:31.
