San Carlos, Venezuela

Neil, and Philippe before the race.

BVI Cyclists Philippe Leroy, and Neil Thomas finished 14th and 15th respectively in the Time Trial at the Pan American Cycling Championships in Venezuela today. After enduring the craziest 48 hours ever, Thomas and Leroy overcame lack of sleep and mechanical problems to ride respectively against some of the best cyclists in the Pan American region.

“I am so happy with us today’” Leroy said after the event. “ That was the fastest that I’ve ridden over such a long distance! Not bad for a couple of amateur cyclists!” The event that had only 15 cyclists was very encouraging for the BVI. “ I heard the president of the Panamanian cycling federation state that they made the time trial too long so it discouraged more participation,” David Thomas stated. “ So what ended up happening was that you got 15 of the best time trialist in the region…all competing for 3 podium spots.” The event attracted cyclists from The BVI, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Venezuela.

The BVI Team had an adventure getting to and participating in this event. “ Man…. talk about being in the twilight zone. We had trouble from time we left Tortola till the start today,” Thomas stated. “ We didn’t get in to San Carlos until 3:00am Saturday morning, didn’t get our bikes until 1:00am Sunday morning, had to get up at 7:00am for breakfast, and had to leave for the race at 8:00am to start racing at 9:00am. Neil had the draw to leave first, and minutes before his race started, as they are calling his name to come to the start gate, we get a flat!”

Philippe in the aero position.

After getting a wheel from the Trinidad team, the team’s misfortune continued.” I have to thank Trinidad for their assistance. But the bike’s gears wouldn’t shift so Neil only had the easiest gear, and the hardest gear…. that’s not good in a 30 plus mile trial,” Thomas said. “ But you know, through it all I am still so proud of the team seeing that we had all that adversity, and we still were able to ride respectively against such good competition. I mean, if you exclude the first 4 or 5 cyclists who rode sub hour ten minute times, our guys were right there with the rest of the field, in the hour 10 thru hour fifteen minute range, and that is what we are most proud of. It means that we can compete, and that says a lot seeing that we don’t race as much or train and have the coaching and training that most of those teams there had.”

Neil was happy with his performance despite having trouble. “ I am upset because I felt really good today. For the first time my legs didn’t have the acid build up, and I was very confident,” stated Neil. “ I don’t feel bad though because I now see that we can compete with these guys and that we have to put in the training, but we can compete.” The Championships will continue through the rest of this week culminating with the Elite road race on Sunday June 27th. 155 cyclists from 26 different countries are participating in this edition’s championships.

Team BVI sends out congratulations to the Venezuelan Cycling Federation for hosting such a great championships. “ Things could have been better with the communications, seeing that there are English speaking countries there, but overall I was happy with the trials,” David Thomas said after the races. “

Disappointed but encouraged.

Good luck to the rest of the Caribbean teams participating, and gracias to Venezuela!!!”

And he's off!

© Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation

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