Islandsun Newspaper - British Virgin Islands

Danika Archer, Sheynela Smith and Sam Woods, compete in the BVI Cycling Federation's Bike Assembly Race, during it's June 30 Bike-O-Rama at the Old Festival Village Site.

Anthony Walters finds gold in Virgin Gorda’s Copper Mine Challenge

Virgin Gorda cyclists continue to successfully defend home turf, denying their Tortola counterparts from taking the top spot when home boy Anthony ‘Zanku’ Walters won Sunday’s famed Copper Mine Challenge.

Third a year ago after Virgin Gorda cyclists occupied the top four positions, Walters was victorious in the 18 mile race from the Mine Shaft to Nail Bay and return with two circuits around the Valley, in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 52 seconds. Tortola’s Conrad ‘Manny’ Emmanuel was second in 1:16.24. Patlian Johnson won the women’s short course in 1:01.11 in the BVI Cycling Federation race that attracted 19 participants.

“This Copper Mine Challenge was probably one of the best yet,” beamed Federation president David Thomas. “We actually had 19 riders, the most we’ve had in the past three years. It was good to see all the riders that came over from Tortola and that the Virgin Gorda guys actually came out. We’re glad to see that they came out and we hope they keep coming out and they don’t leave Joe (Giacinto) alone to carry the torch for Virgin Gorda. It was really good, very hot but a very good race.”

Thomas said cycling series leader Phillippe Leroy placed fifth overall, but his placing is deceptive. “Phillippe always does something that amazes us all the time and this race was no exception. He had two flats,” Thomas explained. “He fixed the first then proceeded to ride from Nail Bay back to Copper Mine with a flat front tire. Coming down a hill on a bicycle with a flat front tire is a very harrowing experience and he rode from Nail Bay-about 6-7 miles- then took two laps around the Valley like that. He might have finished fifth, but, he was the winner of the day for being able to do that.”
Final results Men: 1. Anthony ‘Zanku’ Walters, 1 hour, 13 minutes 52 seconds. 2. Conrad ‘Manny’ Emmanuel, 1:16.24. 3. Tim Smith, St. Thomas, 1:20.52. 4. Ruben Mingo, 1:22.24. 5. Phillippe Leroy, 1:23.41. 6. Steve Marsh, 1:26.22. 7. Jim Cullimore, 1:26.26. 8. David Thomas, 1:32.50. 9. Alston ‘Alo’ Hanley, 1:32.56. 10. Neil Thomas, 1:37.29. 11. Charles Peaker, 1:38.15. 12. John George, 1:38.28. 13. Tom Merrigan, 1:40.35. 14. Joe Giacinto, 1:43.07. 15. David Bingham, 1:47.10. Women: 1. Patlian Johnson, 1:01.11. 2. Edith Steele, Canada, 1:02.09. 3. Tamika George, 1:16.67. 4. Gavin Singh, 1:21.36.