| From the BVI Cycling Federation Jason Bally Memorial
Team St. Martin would take the two top spots. Orelien Moyon was the winner with a time of 3:12.22’ — almost ten minutes faster than the second place finisher. The event started on the road in front of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and headed east to the airport. Cyclists then turned back and headed to Brandy Wine Bay and back to the start/finish line for one lap. The Elite Men Division did seven laps for a total of 73 miles and the Elite Women completed five laps, while the Fun/Novice Division completed two laps. More than 30 cyclists competed in the event. The Jason Bally Memorial is held each year to honour Mr. Bally, a cyclist from Trinidad, who was fatally shot in Sea Cows Bay in 1999, after robbers fled the area. Mr. Bally's killers still remain at large. A plaque hangs at the site where Mr. Bally was killed. The night before the race, a candle light service was held in Mr. Bally’s memory. In the past, a moment of silence was held before the race. But this year things were different with the race being held at HLSCC on the following day. Instead, a service was held the day before giving it a whole new feel for organisers and cyclists. “It was really nice and fitting,” BVI Cycling Federation President David Thomas said. “Instead of us rushing through it with a moment of silence before the race. And the candles gave a nice effect.”
About 30 people showed up to the service, including Cane Garden Bay Baptist Pastor Melvin Turnbull who “gave a few inspirational words,” according to Mr. Thomas. Also in attendance was cyclist Sally Blackmore. “It was a nice way of doing, it,” Ms. Blackmore said. “Normally [the service] is before the race and everyone is in race-mode. But last night everyone was more mellow and it seemed to have more meaning. It was nice to honour Jason like that.” Ms. Blackmore said she never new Mr. Bally, but is friends with his sister. She said Sunday’s race was not just about winning. “I think as cyclists we stick together,” Ms. Blackmore said. “There was a dual meaning to the race. It wasn’t just about racing, it was also about doing it in honour of Jason.” On Sunday, Mr. Thomas followed the leader, Mr. Moyon, in his vehicle for the entire race. “It was really exciting,” Mr. Thomas said. The president confirmed that more than 20 cyclists from “overseas” competed in the event. “I didn’t find out until yesterday that Wendy Cruz was going to be here,” Mr. Thomas said. “That was a pleasant surprise.” In 2007, Mr. Cruz won the cycling road race at the Pan American Games. And in 2006, he placed second in the Caribbean Cycling Championships on Tortola, where he qualified for the Pan American Games. On Sunday, he would finish second behind Mr. Moyon, his St. Martin teammate. Mr. Moyon took off from the start and never looked back. “[Mr. Moyon] is in a class above everyone else, ” Mr. Thomas said. “The [field of cyclists] attacked from the start, and [Mr. Moyon] literally rode 73-miles all by himself. I don’t know if it was his game plan, but it worked …He made it really good. It was fun.” After the race, Mr. Cruz spoke to this reporter through an interpreter. “It was a good [race],” Mr. Cruz said. “We got the job done. We were the favourites and we kept pace. We knew everything was alright once we had a man up front.” It was the first time that the St. Martin team had competed in the Jason Bally Race. “We found the course to be easy, we wanted more hills,” said St. Martin’s Edward Benitez. “We have met a lot stronger [competitors].” However, Mr. Benitez didn’t finish the race because his “bike broke down.”“I didn’t have a spare wheel,” Mr. Benitez said. The St. Martin team will next compete in the Dominican Republic Tour of Santo Domingo in February. This year’s course was different from previous years, due to construction in Sea Cows Bay were the event normally is held. Mr. Thomas was happy with the new course, but was disappointed with one particular stretch. He said traffic was the main problem.“East End is a pain in the [butt],” Mr. Thomas said. In fact, a St. Croix cyclist was “bumped” by a passing vehicle. “Other than that, it was a really good, hard, competitive race,” Mr. Thomas said. “At least no one got seriously injured.” Ms. Blackmore said the course was harder than it looked. “It was hard,” Ms. Blackmore said. “The course looked easy, but it was deceiving because there was a lot of false flats.” Mr. Thomas said it was encouraging to see several returning cyclists competing in the event. “It was good to see Godfrey Pollydore here today,” Mr. Thomas said. “He is an awesome sprinter, but was just out done today.”Mr. Pollydore of Guyana rides for Anguilla finished fourth with a time of 3:21.08.’
As for the BVI cyclists, Mark Smith was the only finisher, while seven others did not finish or were lapped. Mr. Smith was suffering from leg cramps for most of the race. He even tried dumping water on his legs while he pedaled up a hill. After the race, he had to have help getting off his bike. “It happens anytime [I cycle] more than 60 miles,” Mr. Smith said. “On the fifth lap my legs just locked up solid.” Mr. Smith would finish 12th with a time of 3:34.24.’ “It wasn’t too bad, I was able to keep up with the other St. Croix guy,” Mr. Smith said. “It was fast from the start, unbelievably fast from the start. [Mr. Moyon] got away and I don’t think anybody would have been able to catch him. He was awesome.” Antonio Andrews echoed Mr. Smith’s thoughts about the start of the race. “The race started off like a gun shot,” said Mr. Andrews. He thought he performed “pretty well” considering all the top riders he competing against. He would be dropped on the fourth lap.“I would have liked to keep up with them,” Mr. Andrews said. “But I don’t have that ability at this time.” In the Women’s Division, Ms. Blackmore finished first with a time of 2:55.38.’ Patlian Johnson came second with a time of 3:23.33.’ “Sally did well,” Mr. Thomas said. “She is our new women’s champion.” Ms. Blackmore realised that there were a lot of top cyclists competing, but she just focused on her race. “I wasn’t competing against these top riders, because they are in a completely different league,” Ms. Blackmore said. “They were just amazing. Especially, [Mr. Moyon] who was in the lead. He was incredible. Right from the start line he just took off like a rocket. I was enjoying watching him every time he passed me.” Ms. Blackmore was happy with her performance and finish, but would have liked to seen more female cyclists competing. “It was just the three ladies, who were in the their own little race,” Ms. Blackmore said. “I wish there were more.”
Mr. Thomas said next year’s 10th annual event could see more changes. He would like to see it expanded to a two-day event with a time trial on the first day and the race on the following day. Mr. Thomas said he was appreciative to all the people who helped make the event “a lot safer.” However, he said the BVICF struggles with the lack of support from the police who are restricted by a law that prohibits them from assisting during the races. “Motorists just responded better to a person in a uniform,” Mr. Thomas said. But the president was happy with the event and felt the fans received a good show. “Since this was a circuit you were guaranteed to see [the cyclists] every 15-20 minutes,” Mr. Thomas said. “People seemed to enjoy this and the atmosphere was good.” Race results Elite men 7laps – 117km (73miles) 1. Orelien Moyon – St. Martin 3hr 12min 22secs 2. Wendy Cruz – Dominican Republic 3’ 21:07 3. Jyme Bridges –Antigua 3’ 21:08 4. Godfrey Pollydore – Anguilla 3’ 21:08 5. Robert Marsh – Antigua 3’ 21: 09 6. Benjamin Phillips – Anguilla 3’ 25:04 7. Micheal Phillips – St. Maarten 3’ 25:53 8. Omari King – Antigua 3’ 27:06 9. Glenn Massiah – USVI 3’ 27:24 10. Apolinar Acevedo – USVI 3’ 29:31 11. Cumber Greaux – USVI 3’ 29:32 12. Mark Smith –BVI 3’34:24 **New BVI National Champion** 13. Orano Andrews –St. Vincent 3’ 46:44 Elite Women 5laps – 80km (54miles) 1. Sally Blackmore –BVI 2hr 55min 38secs** New BVI National Champion** 2. Patlian Johnson – BVI 3’ 21:33 Fun Novice 2laps – 33km (20miles) 1. Adrian Dale 1’ 06:55 2. Alton Henley 1’ 10:21 3. Laven Frederieksen – USVI 1’ 12:22 4. Philomena Robertson 1’ 30:55 DNF’s Juancito Gario USVI, Jose Diaz USVI, John Riggs USVI, Albert Philander Guyana, Edward Benitez St. Martin, Andrew Thompson BVI. Lapped DNF’s Antonio Andrews St. Vincent, Patricio Carty St. Maarten, Antony Spencer BVI, Darel Christopher BVI, Phillipe Leroy BVI, Matthew Crossman BVI, Trevor Scatliffe BVI, Gareth Thomas BVI. © Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation |
