| From the BVI Cycling Federation Jason Bally Memorial
Donelan made a move he never relinquished on the first of two laps to the Terrence Lettsome airport, to win the race in 2 hours, 26 minutes and 34 seconds. Donelan said there were a lot of good riders in the race and while the victory wasn’t a surprise after coming off six weeks of training in Cuba, his surprise was the lead he enjoyed. “They fell asleep and let me get that far ahead but I’m not surprised because a lot of races in the Caribbean, nobody likes to put in the work. The persons that go out and are willing to put in the work will win races,” he noted. Donelan said the race suited him because of the hills, his slim build and because he’s a good climber. “I don’t mind going out there and doing all the work for myself. I knew once got a good lead going over the hills, it would be the end of the race,” Donelan explained. “By the time I came over the hills coming back from the airport for the first time, I knew the race was mine because I knew the pack would probably fall asleep. I also knew that I had four guys on my team there helping me out. If anybody was there trying to make a break they would catch them. I would like to thank my team as well because they really worked for me back there.”
Guyana’s Dwayne Gibbs who placed second described the course as “interesting.” “I think they should have made it three laps in the hills,” he said. “Its road racing and road racing suppose to be tough. Whenever you’re going to keep a road race and money is involved, you have to ride for your money.” Prior to the race, Gibbs said he had been hardly training but his teammates encouraged him. He said when Donelan made his move, if he was feeling good he would have chased him. “When we went back for the second lap as I started climbing, I found myself cramping. I said ‘oh boy, that’s its,’ and I settled for second.” St. Croix’s Sue Brown who won the women’s division said the race was just as challenging as last year “I felt strong in the early part going to West End because I love the flat,” Brown said. “But as soon as those hills came I was dizzy. The men had to do the hills twice and for me, that would have been very difficult. I could have done it but it was enough doing it back and forth one time.” Anguilla’s Kris Pradel won both sprint bonus prizes while St. Martin’s Didier Lake was king of the mountain.
Cycling Federation president David Thomas said it was a great race and thanked all the participants for coming. Thomas said Donelan showed he has gotten stronger from his training in Cuba. “He rode a very, very smart race today. Guyana they roded well as a team but, because they fell asleep on Danny, they weren’t able to pull Gibbs back on to him. It might have been a different outcome if he had gotten back on because Gibbs is a punishing sprinter. All in all it was a great day.” Thomas thanked all the sponsors and volunteers for making the race a success. “This race can only get bigger and better,” Thomas said. “I said it five years ago when Jason died that I wanted this to be the premier race in the Caribbean and I think it we are probably well on our way to making it so.” Top finishers Road Bikes Men: 1. Danny Donelan(Antigua), 2 hours 26 minutes 34 seconds. 2. Dwayne Gibbs(Guyana), 2:28.57. 3. Andrew Reece(Guy), 2:28.57. 4. Roger Smart(Trinidad), 2:28.59. 5. Godfrey Pollydore(Ant), 2:28.59. 6. Kurt Maraj(St.Lucia), 2:29.01. 7. Lyn Murray(Ant), 2:29.02. 8. Frank Pangan(St. Martin), 2:29.02. 9. Bobby Simon(Ant), 2:29.13. 10. Winston Williams(St.Lucia), 2:29.47. 11. David Lopez(Puerto Rico), 2:29.47. 12. Danny Laud(St. Martin), 2:30.09. 13. Ramon Diaz(Puerto Rico), 2:30.38. 14. Didier Lake(St. Martin), 2:30.38. 15. Ronnie Bryan(Anguilla), 2:30.50. 16. Vinesh Narine(Guy), 2:32.14. 17. Colin Wilson(Tri), 2:32.15. 18. Victor Chance(St. Martin), 2:33.01. 19. Luc Gorostiza(St. Martin), 2:34.13. 20. Charles Bryan(Ang), 2:35.13. 21. Ken Jackson(Ant), 2:35.17. 22. Rienaldo Soto(Puerto Rico), 2:35.18. 23. Marlon Morrison(Guy), 2:38.00. 24. John Prosser(St. Lucia), 2:38.00. 25. Timothy Richardson(Ang), 2:39.36. 26. Ray Wearmouth(BVI), 2:39.37. 27. Dominic Olliverre(St.Vincent), 2:42.45. 28. Glen Campbell(Ant), 2:46.58. 29. Neil Lloyd(Ant), 2:58.18. 30. Peter Hernandez(Tri), 2:50.19. 31. Cumben Greaux(St.Croix), 2:50.19. 32. Neil Thomas(BVI), 2:50.20. 33. Danny Fontinelle(St.Croix), 2:51.35. 34. Glen Massiah(St.Croix), 2:52.27. 35. Brian Richardson(Ang), 2:53.52. 36. Al Gauchi(BVI), 2:58.52. 37. Conrad Emmanuel(BVI), 2:58.52. 38. Steve Burkholder(St.Thomas), 2:58.53. 39. Juancito Gario(St.Croix), 3:03.32. 40. Bruce Sewere(St.Thomas), 3:05.19. 41. Eldon Solomon(BVI), 3:21.55. 44. Mark McKenzie(BVI), 3:43.02. Women: 1. Sue Brown(USVI), 1:44.34. 2. Louise DePuy(USVI), 1:49.22. 3. Patlian Johnson(BVI), 2:15.43. 4. Olympia Fahie(BVI), 2:30.09. Mountain Bikes Men: 1: Landford Antione(St.Martin), 1:54.39. 2. Anthony Spencer, 2:02.08. 3. Laurens Blok, 2:02.58. 4. Gareth Thomas, 2:04. 40. 5. Simon Cook, 2:04.42. 6. Andrew Thompson, 2:08.01. 7. Anthony Walters, 2:08.59. 8. Ben Butler, 2:09.35. 9. Sam Tucker, 2:18.10. 11. Charles Peaker, 2:19.72. 12. Tom Merrigan, 2:32.48. 13. Rick Connell, 2:33.51. Women: 1. Dara Smith, 2:18.17. 2. Victoria Ghiorse, 2:45.23. Fun/Novice: 1. Sarah Butler, 1:32.41. 2. Darel Christopher Jr., 1:35.19. 3. Ruth Tucker, 1:37.01. © Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation |
