THE inaugural Beacon / Project Breakaway Independence Cycling Challenge has been dubbed a “huge success” by the organizers despite the many Independence Day activities been held at the same time.
The event attracted an appreciative crowd of cycling enthusiasts also came support the more than 50 competitors.
In the 13.5 kilometre Team Time Trial, a total of seven teams registered, but it would be Project Breakaway No.1 led by Kurt Maraj winning in a time of 22 minutes 13.06 seconds. Second was Project Breakaway B – Fer de lance in a time of 22 minutes 21.12 seconds and third place want to (Project Breakaway – Dynamics) in a time of 22 minutes 31.2 seconds.
The Power Sprint was a total of four heats of six riders with the first two riders going to the semifinals. The experienced Elvis Joseph won the first heat, closely followed by Joel Mentor of Mon Repos. In heat No. 2 Fidel Mangal showed his class to win ahead of Herbert Fields. Heat No. 3 – Chad Jn Baptiste out of Dennery continued his good run of form as he was first across the finish line ahead Dave Charlery of Mon Repos, while Kenneth Mathurin secured the win in heat No.4 ahead of Kluivert Mitchel out of Mon Repos.
Fidel Mangal was first across the finish line in the first semifinal ahead of Elvis Joseph. In Semifinal No.2 Chad Jn Baptiste proved too much to handle as he edged out Dave Charlery in a close encounter, the four riders advancing to the final.
In the final Jn Baptiste (Roketers) won ahead of his team mate Elvis Joseph. Dave Charlery (Mon Repos) was third and Fidel Mangal (Mon Repos) finished fourth The final event of the day, the much talked about 18 lap 40.54km Mass Start Race saw the Maraj twins in the thick of things after one year’s absence from competitive cycling, but they looked in competitive shape. The former road champion Kurt Maraj of Project Breakaway showed his class despite several surges and the customary cat and mouse tactics played throughout by Elvis Joseph, Winston Williams, Eustace Dookie, Fidel Esnard and Fidel Mangal just to name a few of the senior riders in the pack.
Maraj was first across the finish line in a time of 1 hour 09 minutes 46.33 seconds. Second was Chad Jn Baptiste (Roketers), and third Kenneth Mathurin (Project Breakaway). In the junior category – First was Josiah Murrell (Excellers), first Juvenile was Kluivert Mitchel (Mon Repos), first was 50 years and over male to cross the line was Richard Shingleton Smith (Project Breakaway), while the first – female finisher was Tonian James (Mon Repos).