SVG's Orano Andrews climbing Windy Hill.

TORTOLA-Orano Andrews held off a hard challenge from visiting Italian cyclist Andrea Vaght and defending champion Chris Ghiorse, to win the 2008 Tour de Tortola in 2 hours 30 minutes and 40 seconds…giving him his 3rd win in a row in the BVI. Andrews and Ghiorse were having a classic 2 man battle up Windy Hill until visiting cyclist, Andrea Vaght, caught them on the descent down the Ridge road to East End.

“It was a good race,” Andrews said. “I could have done better on the climb up Windy Hill, but I feel good about it. After Chris (Ghiorse) left me in the rough section (Steel Point/Smugglers), I know that I had to ride the hills hard to catch him. I could see him all the time so I know it was only a matter of time before I caught him.” Defending champion Ghiorse had a 30sec lead on Andrews coming out of Steel Point/Smugglers Cove, and a 3 minute advantage over Vaght. “I knew that Orano is a good climber and is very fit right now, so I was trying to get a buffer on Windy Hill,” Ghiorse said. “I know that my experience and knowledge of the downhill to East End would have given me the advantage, but they (Andrews, Vaght) are too young and too strong.

Visiting Italian cyclist, Andrea Vaght was the surprise of the race. After he caught up to Chris and Orano on the descent to East End, both he and Orano dropped Chris on the climb up to Balsam Ghut. “Very nice race…hard, but fun,” Vaght stated after the race with translation from his mother. “I was scared of the down hills because I didn’t know the course and the bike was the 1st time I was riding it. I could see Chris and Orano so they were good guides for me.” Vaght, who is 15years old, is visiting the BVI with his family.

The 4 top winners all smiles after the race! Lto R Andrea Vaght, Orano Andrews, Chris Ghiorse, and Lisa Adamson

The race which attracted 22 competitors was one of the biggest Tours in recent history. “It was a great and exciting tour,” cycling federation president David Thomas said after the race. “I was so happy to see 22 persons coming out to it, and most every body rode the full course!” When asked about 15 year old Vaght? “Wow!!! That kid was very impressive!!! I got an email from his mother about a month or so ago telling me that they would be vacationing in the BVI and her son is keen on cycling. It was such a joy to watch him ride today…he didn’t even look like he was suffering. Him and Orano really worked well together and I think that if he knew exactly where the finish was, it could have been a different result.”

Results
Main Field

Defending champion, Chris Ghiorse on Windy Hill

1. Orano Andrews, (SVG) 2hr 30min 40sec; 2. Andrea Vaght, (Italy) 2’30:42; 3. Chris Ghiorse 2’39:55; 4.Antony Spenser 2’49:45; 5.Mark Smith 2’50:30; 6. Lisa Adamson 2’52:03; 7. Darel Christopher Jr 2’55:16; 8.Matt Crossman 2’55:50; 9.Phillippe Leroy 2’56:40; 10. Manaseh Phillip 3’16:58; 11. Ian Mann 3’17:00; 12. Erasmus George 3’25:18; 13. Anthony Walters 3’27:31; 14. Joe Giacinto 3’37:53; 15. Jim Cullimore 3’46:37; 16. Tom Merrigan 4’16:23. DNF –Gareth Thomas, Mike Doyle, Sherman King, Patlian Johnson, Sally Blackmore.

Fun Novice
1. Rusty Burns 2hr 54 mins 52 secs.

King of the Mountain – Chris Ghiorse
Queen of the Mountain – Lisa Adamson

Italian cyclist Andrea Vaght climbing Windy Hill.

© Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation

Top of Page