2002 Cycling season ends with competitive race

BY DEAN GREENAWAY

With the final race of the season determining key positions, BVI Cycling Federation president David Thomas said he wanted to see cyclists coming out and laying it on the line in Sunday’s Gatorade/East End Wall race-then got his wish a competitive race.

“It was good to see that the guys came out and raced and not just sit down and see what John Miller and Chris Ghiorse would do,” Thomas said. “I think we had a very good battle today. We have a new master’s champion in Steve Marsh, the first time in 10 years. We also have a new National Champion in Jaron Maduro. Guys raced. It was good.”

Ghirose only rode three races in the 2002 BVI Cycling Federation/Cable and Wireless National Championships Series, but won his second on Sunday beating Virgin Gorda’s Anthony ‘Zanku’ Wlaters by a 2-minute margin. He completed the race that took riders from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, through East End, Beef Island, Greenland, Lambert and Little Dix hills, before finishing at the college in 1 hour, 26 minutes and 12 seconds. Walters finished in 1:28.36.

Ghiorse said that Lambert Hill-where all but three cyclists walked-was the determining factor in the race. “Not matter how fit you are, that hill is always tough,” he pointed out. “This year even thought I only rode the hill twice, I felt like I rode it four times because I had to serpentine to get up.”

After beating Jim Cullimore to take the masters title, Steve Marsh said he was comfortable with the season. “It was a good one for me,” he said. “Beating the champion-I’m not sure how many years he has been in that position-but it will put more weight on me heading into next year.”
Cullimore said everyone can be beaten. “I don’t feel bad, but feel glad that Steve won it out of all the masters, because he was my protégé,” Cullimore said. “I pushed him to where he is today. I’m happy that he achieved what he worked for. Now that he’s the champion, I’ll be after him next year.”

Final results: 1. Chris Ghiorse, 1 hour, 26 minutes and 12 seconds. 2. Anthony ‘Zanku’ Walters, 1:28.01. 3. John Miller, 1:28.36. 4. Conrad ‘Manny’ Emmanuel, 1:28.37. 5. Steve Thompson, 1:29.23. 6. Steve Marsh, 1:35.16. 7. Jim Cullimore, 1:39.10. 8. Manasseh Phillips, 1:41.39. 9. David Thomas, 1:41.40. 10. Marcus Diprose, 1:41.56. 11. Neil Thomas, 1:51.53. 12. Clifton ‘Tito’ Forbes, 2:18.23. Fun/Novice. 1. Alston Hanley.

Final top 15 cyclists overall standings: 1. Jaron Maduro, 441 points. 2 (tie). Manesseh Phillips and Anthony ‘Zanku’ Walters, 331. 4. Steve Marsh, 311. 5. Jim Cullimore, 299. 6. Donnie George, 242. 7. Andrew Bruce, 235. 8. Conrad ‘Manny’ Emmanuel, 213. 9. 9. Andrew Young, 199. 10. Ruben Mingo, 173. 11. Sam Talbot, 169. 12. David Thomas, 162. 13. Anghel George, 143. 14. Clifton ‘Tito’ Forbes, 141. 15. Tom Merrigan, 130.