Patlian Johnson paces president David Thomas

TORTOLA—Phillippe Leroy comfortably won Sunday’s RTW East End Wall race over a small field, in the penultimate event on the BVI Cycling Federation calendar.

Leroy covered the two lap course that began in Pariquita Bay and took riders out to Beef Island, then returned to Tortola and went through Greenland and Little Dix Hill before returning to Paraquita Bay, in 1 hour, 21 minutes and 39 seconds. Neil Thomas was seven minutes back in 1:28.34. Andrew Thompson overcame a flat to place third in 1:32.01.

“There weren’t many cyclists and not a lot of climbers,” said Leroy who won his second successive race. “I’ve always done well on this race and won almost every time I did it because of that very steep hill,” he explained referring to Lambert Hill, as steep climb less than two miles before the end. “It’s a race suited for me.”

Leroy said knowing that Thomas is good on the short hills he began pushing the pace after crossing the bridge connecting Tortola and Beef Island. “I wasn’t going too hard on the flat because I wanted to keep a good pace, but I knew I could drop them again on the hill. I don’t know why they didn’t catch me. This is only the sixth time I’ve rode in five months. I’m doing very well. I should stop riding and just race. It’s better for me.”

Steve Marsh makes his turn to head to the airport

Thomas said the race was exciting but tough and challenging as usual. “Some people say the wall (Lambert Hill) is the most challenging part, but that’s not the most challenging. The most challenging part is Little Mountain,” he explained. “That little hill there determines how the race will turnout when you reach to the wall. When you hit Little Mountain on the second lap, you are basically tired going into the wall a second time and that decides the race.”

Federation president David Thomas said the race traditionally attracts a small field, but the competition is interesting. “People are a lot fitter this time than they were last year. You can see incredible improvements with every body which is interesting to see,” said David who got back in the saddle a few weeks ago. “Even my times I thought were pretty respectable for someone who’s fat and out of shape. But, the race was a good lead up to our Sept. 18 time trial, the last race of the season before the Oct. 2 Jason Bally 100K Memorial.”

Final results: 1. Phillippe Leroy, 1 hour, 21 minutes and 39 seconds. 2. Neil Thomas, 1:28.34. 3. Andrew Thompson, 1:32.01. 4. Steve Marsh, 1:32.27. 5. Darel Christopher Jr., 1:36.12. 6. Mark Smith, 1:36.14. 7. David Thomas, 1:46.16. 8. Patlian Johnson, 1:47.57. 9. Tom Merrigan, 1:51.32. Fun/Novice: Jim Cullimore, 1:12.17.

© Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation

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