International News
Malfunctioning equipment knocks BVI’s Thomas out of CAC Games road race.
By Dean Greenaway
Jul 23, 2006, 17:00

Hanging in in the road race.

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia—For the second successive day, malfunction equipment hampered the British Virgin Islands’ Neil Thomas’ Central American Games performance. Unlike on Friday when he made his games debut in the 44 kilometer time trail where the communications system failed, he was able to finish. This time though, the malfunction cut short his goal of completing a minimum of four laps against pro riders.

Holding on in the chase pack on the second lap of Saturday morning’s 154 kilometer road race on a 12 mile stretch in Barranquilla, Colombia, Thomas’ rear derailuer broke about 1.5 kilometers into his third lap, effectively ending his debut in the competition as one of the few riders to attempt both the time trial and road race.

Thomas said when he competes on successive days, he feels more relaxed and ready to race.

The 1.5km climb to the finish.

“On the first lap, I was hanging in with the peleton, following instructions from Chris (Ghiorse), moving up to the front trying to get in a good position,” he pointed out. “On the second lap, I was trying to move my way around but was unsuccessful because I got blocked. Then, I got dropped on the long climb to the finish. One my descent, that’s when my derailuer broke and damaged my back wheel and I had to forfeit the race.”

While it disappointing, Thomas accepted it as a part of racing. He said at times when you are mentally ready, mechanically something goes wrong. Conversely, when you’re not there mentally, everything else works well. Thomas said his CAC Games experience is one he’ll never forget. “I actually entered a road race of that caliber with those kind of athletes and riders and I had a good view of what other riders are doing and what I have to do to get up to their level,” he summarized. “I have to train and get ready for anything.”

Ghiorse who got the lucky draw to be up in front as support personnel in the race said he had a birds eye view of the action and was able to provide Thomas with tips on focusing. “In a four hour event like this, its very easy on a course like this on a straight road going out and coming back, to lose focus on the fact that you have to be near the front, because of the 1.5 kilometer slope to the finish. I thought he did as best as he could do at this time in his riding career, as he’s still young as a rider. His exposure to this is a whole other level. Unfortunately for him, he had mechanical problems and he definitely would have liked to see how far he could go in a race like this. Overall, I think any experience you can get facing a crowd like this will teach you better ways to approach any race he does in the future.”

Focus!

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