2007 National Champion, Chris Ghiorse early in the race. Photo by Todd Van Sickle

TORTOLA—Experience beat youth when 2007 BVI senior cyclist of the year, Chris Ghiorse chased down then out sprinted his Jr. counterpart Darel Christopher Jr., to pull out a .01 second victory in Sunday’s 30-mile BVI Cycling Federation season opening College Classic race.

Ghiorse had a winning time of 1 hour, 25 minutes and 13 seconds in the rain affected race. Christopher followed in 1:25.14 with Mark Smith third in 1:25.15, in the race that went from West End to the H. Lavity Souttt Community College in Paraquita Bay and return.

“The race came down to a sprint between six of us because of the rains that affected us on the hills going out to the college,” Ghiorse explained. “Darel put in a move that was a little early, which made it a little easier for me to go and follow him. With a little more experience, I think it’s going to be harder to beat him in the sprint. However, he did open up gap and because of my experience, is really all I can lay claim to winning the race, since he made a mistake.”

Junior sensation, Darel"Redman" Christopher Jr. just missed the win. Photo by Todd Van Sickle

Early in the race, Ghiorse said he was really surprised to see Ray Wearmount, who eventually finished fifth, challenging for the lead. Wearmounth is making a comeback after a three year layoff. “He hasn’t been riding all that much in his career and he as really improved a lot this year,” Ghiorse noted. “I was surprised to see him hot on my tail going up to Sophie Bay Hill, the hardest hill out to the college, and that’s when we hooked up and that’s we the rains came down

College Classic Road race results: Main Course; Men: 1. Chris Ghiorse, 1 hour 25 minutes 13 seconds. 2. Darel Christopher Jr. 1:25.14. 3. Mark Smith, 1:25.15. 4. Phillippe Leroy, 1:25.17. 5. Ray Wearmounth 1:25.18. 6. Neil Thomas, 1:29.30. 7. Peter Leblanc, 1:29.47. 8. Linden Peters, 1:31.03. 9. Ian Mann, 1:34.23. 10. Deane Foncesa, 1:34.48. 11. Keble McDonald, 1:42.30. Dnf. David Thomas.
Women: 1. Lisa Admanson, 1:25.16. 2. Patlian Johnson, 1:42.45. Dnf. Sally Blackmore.
Fun Novice: 1. Anna Kinnersly, 1:11.00. Novice: 1. Peter Lader, 1:11.00.

Ray Wearmouth leads the group early in the wet race. Photo by Todd Vn Sickle

© Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation

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