Derry Maduro gives Chris Ghiorse his sendoff in Sunday's 30K Time Trial

Wind, rain keeps Chris Ghiorse from 30K time trial goal

BY DEAN GREENAWAY

Chris Ghiorse was aiming to break the 40 minute barrier in Sunday's BVI Cycling Federation 30K time trial that went from Nanny Cay to the West End Ferry Dock, returned to Palestina Estate, headed westward to Cox Heath before finishing at Nanny Cay. Besides a stiff challenge from fellow tri athlete Chris Spencer, high winds and rain left Ghorse disappointed. "I already bettered 40 minutes in training but conditions in cycling really play a big part and going towards West End, I noticed the wind was really picking up," Ghiorse said after wining in 40 minutes and 21 seconds. "I hit the turn around averaging 28.9 miles per hour and I was smiling and thought I could have cracked of a good time. But, there was a squall that came down and I just went slower, basically to the point where I went slower than last year and I'm twice fitter than last year." In his first race of the season, Chris Spencer too had hoped to break the 40 minute barrier. He liked the wind heading to West End he said. "But as soon as I turned around, under 40 was getting harder and harder," Spencer admitted after settling for 40:33. "I still had it in sight, but at the second turnaround by Cox Heath on the way up, I had to admit it was going to go over 40. Just to pull off what I did was hard enough." Ghiorse rode last in the field of 28 and was aware of Spencer's time. "I thought' I'd be comfortable doing better than that but, the conditions were very, very hard," he said. "I think both Chris and I had some good efforts there in the wind, but, I wish I'd gone a little faster." Federation president David Thomas who placed 14th overall, said the race was hard. "It was very windy, but we had a good turnout. It was nice to have Juancito from St. Croix coming over," Thomas said. "We had a good day. I didn't have a good day, but the performances were really good." Riding the race for the second time, Gavio said it was another good race. "Again this year I came to win, unfortunately, I hit a pot hole, or manhole, something that ended my chances," Gavio explained. "My mind was set on Chris Ghiorse this year, but unfortunately, it didn't work out that way, at least for now. I'll be back for this one every year, but I'm trying to see if I can get a team together for the Jason Bally Memorial in October." Final results: 1. Chris Ghiorse, 40 minutes and 21 seconds. 2. Chris Spencer, 40.33. 3. Phillippe Leroy, 45.27. 4. Jaron Maduro, 47:25. 5. Neil Thomas, 47.34. 6. Jiacinto Gario, 49:09. 7. Conrad Emmanuel, 49:58. 8. Sue Tucker, 50:13. 9. Laurens Blok, 53:15. 10. Peter LeBlanc, 55:04. 11. Jim Cullimore, 55:51. 12. Steve Marsh, 55:58. 13. Steve Emmanuel, 56:19. 14. David Thomas, 56:24. 15. Clifton Forbes, 58:22. 16. Charles Peaker, 1:00.29. 17. Sam Tucker, 1:01.38. 18. Edith Steel, 1:04.01. 19. Joe Giacinto, 1:04.27. 20. Rick Connel, 1:04.47. 21. Olympia Fahie, 1:06.02. 22. Patlian Johnson, 1:07.09. 23. Roger Murray, 1:07.56. 24. Ashaun Crandall, 1:16.27. 25. Jacquline Wislon, 1:16.32. Fun/Novice: 1. Anthony Walters, 39:56. 2. Garvin Singh, 51.29. Dnf. Anghel George.