SVG Cycling Union holds safer road race

Three police outriders, along with assistance from the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture, made last Sunday’s road race, staged by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union, a safer one.{{more}}

The increased safety measures were put in place after president of the Cycling Union Trevor “Sailor” Bailey at the 2015 awards ceremony, held on April 1 this year, at Murray’s Heights Hotel, called for more governmental support for its activities, inclusive of its road races.

Present at Bailey’s request was Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Cecil “Ces” Mc Kie, and his promise to assist the union was manifested in Sunday’s additional support system.

Several complaints have come from cyclists in the recent past, concerning drivers who pay scant respect during the hosting of road races.

Incidentally, there was all praise for the level of co-operation and the increased police presence at last Sunday’s event, which was a 46-mile distance for the elite cyclists and 36 miles for the senior category.

All 10 cyclists rode off from Dasco Pharmacy at about 2:22 p.m. and headed to Colonarie and returned to the Roundabout, with the seniors completing their journey in front Howards Marine at Villa Flat.

The elite bunch, which numbered six, however, made another trek to Diamond and back to the Roundabout, to finish at Villa Flat.

When the clock stopped for the seniors, it was Peter Durrant who was first to the finish line in two hours 4 minutes 06 seconds, ahead of Randy Wilkinson – two hours 10 minutes 56 seconds and third placed Steve Ollivierre in two hours 13 minutes 32 seconds. The other competitor in this segment, Orel George, did it in two hours 24 minutes 52 seconds.

In the elite category, Zefal Bailey outlasted Enroy Lewis at the finish line to win in two hours 27 minutes 0.14 seconds. Lewis did it in two hours 27 minutes 03 seconds.

In third place was Lucky Antrobus in two hours 38 minutes 51 seconds.

Also riding out the course were Samuel Lyttle – two hours 39 minutes 54 seconds and Marlon Antrobus – two hours 58 minutes 26 seconds.

Apart from the top three places in both categories, who were presented with cash awards, compliments Dasco Pharmacy, there were additional cash incentives for two stages of the race.

Lewis, Bailey and Lucky Antrobus were in that order in the first prime, which was at the Sion Hill intersection, while it was Bailey, Lucky Antrobus and Lewis at the second, which was at Villa Flat, during the first part of the race.

Cyclists will again take to the roads on Sunday, May 15, at a venue and route to be determined by the SVG Cycling Union.