ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CYCLING FEDERATION

Jyme Bridges out sprinted two of his rival club members to racked up his 3rd consecutive victory in the ABACA domestic cycling season.



The Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Association brought forward one of their toughest races of their annual race calendar which usually take place in October; the Fig Tree Hill challenge Road Race took place on Sunday 7th April, a perfect test for the athlete’s fitness. Sunday’s race proved that many riders have raised their game, but Jyme Bridges came out even more focused on taking his victory tally to 3 by starting the race at a very high pace resulting with him breaking free by himself to lead the race from Bolans by over 20 seconds, but the surging pack didn’t leave him unattended. The riders regrouped with less than a mile before the title challenge. It’s the first time in the history of this race such a large contingent approached the Fig Tree Hill together, But the pre cursor of the decision of the race was certainly the island’s toughest course on bike.

The race started to split at the crest of the hill when young Joel Phillip made the bold move and attack the climb ahead of everyone, however, that was short lived as the island’s best climbers took up the pace, Robert Marsh, Jyme Bridges, Marvin Spencer certain of leading and dictating the race at this point, to their surprise and for the first time ever a ride was neck and neck with them as the 3 led the race in the middle of the climb. Team Terminix, Walton Francis had an outstanding performance in the respectable climb, comfortably stayed with the islands best to lead over the summit and stayed with throughout the race. The 3 was joined by 5 others on the flats covering Liberta, Falmouth area which includes Marvin Spencer, Garfield Henry, Conroy Thomas, Clint Henry and Randy Bobby Simon. With all the jostling of position, several attacks was made until Robert Marsh, Jyme Bridges and Walton Francis broke free again and stayed away to the finish line.

The crowd gathered at the finish line for the sprint finish of the 3 leaders, however, Jyme Bridges dictated the point-of-surge to take the lead over the line to capture his 3rd victory. The Rattlers Club rider easily won the sprint to win the race in a time of 1:41.53.080 ahead of the Team Terminix, Walton Francis who outputted a ride of his life to place 2nd in a time of 1:41.53.353. Eastside Raiders, Robert Marsh sprinted for 3rd with a time of 1:41.53.908. Marvin Spencer out-sprinted Garfield Henry for fourth and fifth respectively. The Caribbean Female Cycling Champion, Tamiko Butler was home to contest the signature race and to launch her cycling Club’s new apparel. Team Terminix launch their 2013 Cycling team Jersey and team support Car. The club is sponsored by Harney Motors, Kia, Locuzade Sports, Blue Mountain Water and Terminix. Team Terminix emerged as one of the biggest cycling clubs. Tamiko Butler placed 14th in the A-Class.

Team Terminix, Conroy Baba Thomas easily won the B-Class by coming home on the hells of the race leaders to clock a time of 1:42.22. Tasheed Gordon of ESR Club placed 2nd in a time of 1:44.06 head of Triathlete, Rory Butler who placed 3rd in a time of 1:44.08.

Joel Phillip won the Junior-Class ahead of Zackyle Joseph and Colin James. Joel won in a time of 1:44.09 whilst Zackyle and Colin James clocked times of 1:59.53 and 2:02.16 respectively.

Kevinia Francis continues to show improvement as she won the Females as she proudly manages to dominate Antigua’s most respectable hill on bike. The Road Runners Cycling Club rider completed the reduced female route in a time of 1:37.08 ahead of her teammate Lindsay Duffy who placed 2nd in a time of 1:45.52. Nigel Fabian won the Cadets Class over David Simmons who was 2nd ahead of Dexter Simmons Jr who placed 3rd. Vaughn Gomes was the lone beginner won completed the course in a time of 2:15.03.

The Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Association next event will be 2013 National Time Trial Championships to be held on Sunday 21st at 2:30pm. The event will start in front the Police Recreation Grounds heading up Factory Road, North Sound, pass Mount Joy Round about to Freemans Village paly field junction and return to the PRG twice for 18 miles. Robert Marsh of East Side Raiders Cycling Club is the reigning National Time Trial Champion, Tamiko Butler, National Female Time Trial Champion and Tristan Matthew the National Junior Time Trial Champion.