| From the BVI Cycling Federation Tour de Tortola
Although 10 minutes slower than last year, Marsh separated himself from second placer Al Gauchi and Andrew “Tubes” Thompson on the climb to the Balsam Ghut Prison, to win in 2 hours, 34 minutes and 49 seconds. Gauchi was second in 2:45.37 with Thompson third in 2:46.23. The tour went in the opposite direction for the second year, heading to Beef Island first, before hitting the Ridge Road. “It felt easier than last year. Last year I was just getting back on the bike, so I was a lot fitter this time,” Marsh said. “After taking the lead by the prison, I tried to build up a big a lead as possible incase anything happened and it worked out well because I had a flat in Steel Point. I managed to change the tube and get back before anyone caught up.” March who will race in Anguilla this weekend and represent Antigua in the CAC Games in Colombia, said the event, though different, was a good tune up for both.
Gauchi said he’s glad the tour is only done once annually. “And I think that is too much as well. This tour was really, really hard for me,” he reflected. “I stuck with Marsh until three quarters of the way up the prison hill and then that was it. I saw my heart rate climb up to 198 and I knew I was starting to crack. After that, I was just trying to survive. I haven’t felt this much pain in a long, long, time. It’s like getting hit by a baseball bat continuously, but I’m glad I got second place.” At 190 pounds, Thompson who fell at the prison and again in Long Bay, said he knew he would have a tough time against his lighter rivals—particularly on the hills. “It was very enjoyable—a lot of tough guys out there,” he noted. BVI Cycling Federation president Darel Christopher Sr. said despite having the smallest number of participants in the history of the event, it was one of the greatest tours, in the sense that a lot of people suffered more. “It’s a lot more climbing,” Christopher noted. Final results: 1. Robert Marsh, 2 hours, 34 minutes, 49 seconds. 2. Al Gauchi, 2:45.37. 3. Andrew “Tubes” Thompson, 2:46.23. 4. Mark Smith, 2:47.48. 5. Neil Thomas, 3:07.56. 6. Clifton “Tito” Forbes, 3:19.49. 7. Matthew Collins, 3:30.39. 8. Tim Chipstone, 3:33.15. 9. Darel Christopher Sr., 3:41.53. 10. David Thomas, 3:42.56. 11. Darel Christopher Jr., 4:00.58. 12. Tom Merigan, 4:07.53. Dnf; Joe Gaicinto.
Women: 1. Olympia Fahie, 3:37.59. 2. Patlian Johnson, 3:38.01. Fun/Novice: Rusty Burns, 3:26.01.
© Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation |
