National News
Ghiorse foils Cruzan sweep of cycling's National time trial race.
By Dean Greenaway
Sep 24, 2007, 18:00

National TT Champion, Chris Ghiorse beginning the championship run.

TORTOLA—Chris Ghiorse pulled out a narrow nine seconds victory over St. Croix’s Paul Trivino to prevent a Cruzan sweep of the top spots, in Sunday’s BVI Cycling Federation National Time Trial Championships on Tortola.

Ghiorse covered the 20.2 mile loop from Wickham’s Cay II, to West End in 51 minutes and 05 seconds. He was followed by the Cruzan trio of Trivino in 51:14, Juancito Gario, 52:14 and Glenn Massiah’s fourth placing 52.28 time.

“This race was really hard” Ghiorse noted. “There wasn’t much wind when we started out and I was really excited because I thought we’d be able to get close to some good fast times. But at the West End turnaround, I noted the winds picking up and I just suffered coming back. That last 20 minutes was really hard for me. I don’t have the horsepower to fight through the wind.”

Travino, in his first race on Tortola, said he would have won, but the traffic held him up and he lost about a minute, because of a construction trench that surprised him. “It was unexpected, but we got over it,” he said. “The course is also tough with the speed bumps and the wind. When I rode it yesterday, the wind was alright but today it got really worst, trust me on that one.”

Gario, in his sixth attempt to win a time trial on Tortola, said he felt good, but just before the turnaround he got a flat and had to ride 10 miles with it. “I’d already caught the man in front who had a one minute lead and Chris behind me, made up his minute on me and I got a flat,” he noted. “I said it would ride with it and keep him in sight for 10 miles. Right at the turnaround point to come back to the starting line, forgetting I had a front wheel flat, it rolled off the rim and I fell on the corner,” Gario added. “I lost time with the flat and the fall. It wasn’t’ a good race, but, it was a good day.”

St. Croix's Paul Travino almost spoiled the celebration.

Cycling Federation David Thomas said he was happy with the 18 people who showed including five women. “The guys from St. Croix were really fast and that was impressive to see but I think the times were off for everyone today,” he said. “I would have liked to see some of our guys breaking the 50 minute barrier. I was also happy to see we had five women turning out today and that was good to see, but it was disappointing to see that our Caribbean Jr. Cyclist gold medalist did not show up to ride today.”

Final results. Men: 1. Chris Ghiorse, 51 minutes, 05 seconds. 2. Paul Trivino, (St. Croix), 51.14. 3. Juancito Gario, (St. Croix) 52:14. 4. Glenn Massiah, (St. Croix), 52.28. 5. Mark Smith, 53.02. 6. Darel Christopher Jr., 53:30. 7. Gareth Thomas, 54:44. 8. Neil Thomas, 56:25. 9. Jose Diaz, (St. Croix), 56:45. 10. Steve Marsh, 59:32. 11. Anthony Spenser, 1:01.17. 12. Keeble McDonald, 1:03.56. 13. Deane Fonseca, 1:04.45.

Women: 1. Lisa Adamson, 57:37. 2. Sally Blackmore, 1:04.14. 3. Julie-Anne Pearson, 1:08.25. 4. Elsa Meyers, 1:09.04. 5. Karen Casey, 1:15.18.

St. Croix's Juancito Gario, Paul Travino, Juan Diaz, and Glen Massiah..the fearsome 4some!