Jaron Maduro wins Jolly Roger College Classic race

By Dean Greenaway

A rivalry is brewing. The BVI Cycling Federation is only into its second race of its 10th anniversary season, but two of the top three cyclists have split the first two races.

National champion Jaron Maduro won Sunday's 28 mile Jolly Roger College Classic race by avenging a season opening loss to Andrew Young, with Chris Ghiorse finishing third as he did in race one.

Maduro covered the course from Jolly Roger in West End to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay, in 1 hour 24 minutes and 53 seconds. Young placed second in 1:26:51 while Ghirose was third in 1:29.23.

Rains were a factor in the race as riders were cautious on the first hill at Pieces of Eight. On the Gene Hill segment of the race close to his home, Maduro threw caution out the window and took control of the race.

"Going down into Fish Bay, the guys were coasting through on the flat and I just kept the momentum off the hill and kept going," Maduro explained. "I wasn't really scared because I've tested those tires already. I put them through a lot and I had faith in them. On the hill in Kingston was the separator and Sophie Bay Hill which came next was the finisher."

Young said Jaron said he Chris and Jaron got to the hill at about the same time. "Jaron stayed down in the seat, put his head down climbed the hills really well and left us behind," he noted. "Basically, after that we were all split up. He really rode a good race."

Caroline Rea won the women's race in 1:29.18, followed by Sarah Edes in 1:34.24 and Patlian Johnson in 1:43.36. "The rains made the roads slippery but being overcast made the temperature a lot cooler, which made the whole race a lot easier," Rea said.

BVI Cycling Federation president David Thomas said he was happy with the 26 participants including five women. "It's better than in the past where we had only one or two women racing for the whole year," Thomas said. "We have a battle going on between Caroline, Sarah and Patlian and our secretary Tamika George even got out and rode today."

On Sunday, the Cable and Wireless sponsored series continues with a time trial using the Jason Bally Course starting at the Old Festival Village site. "Anyone thinking of being on the national team must participate in this race," Thomas said.

Final results. Men: 1. Jaron Maduro, 1 hour, 24 minutes and 53 seconds. 2. Andrew Young, 1:26.51. 3. Chris Ghiorse, 1:29.23. 4. Neil Thomas, 1:33.54. 5. Darel Christopher, 1:33.55. 6. Conrad Emmanuel, 1:33.59. 7. Jim Cullimore, 1:38.48. 8. Steve Marsh, 1:38.48. 9. Alston Hanley, 1:52.39. 10. Don Kurzman, 1:54.13. 11. Steve Emmanuel, 1:56.31. 12. Peter LeBlanc, 2:07.44. Dnf: Marcus Diprose, David Thomas and Joe Giacinto. Women: 1. Caroline Rea, 1:29.18. 2. Sarah Edes, 1:34.24. 3. Patlian Johnson, 1:43.36. Dnf: Victoria Robinson. Fun/Novice Men: 1. Keyon Thomas, 1:27.54. 2. Sam Tucker, 1:35.06. 3. Berchfield Lettsome, 2:00.12. Dnf. Akeem Gumbs. Women: 1. Tamika George, 1:52.52. Fun, Fun/Novice: Myrna Smith. 45:13.