ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CYCLING FEDERATION

Jyme Bridges proved that his quick acceleration was the technique to win uphill sprints as he and Marsh dashed to the line set on the top of Friars Hill. The battle heated up on the top of Friars Hill when over 40 riders participated in the Sunday’s 2013 Friars Hill Challenge. The race got off to a fast start leaving the ones behind who could not manage or were new to the pace.

But the showdown was at the front of the race with the battle of the island’s top riders, Jyme Bridges, Robert Marsh, Marvin Spencer, Andre Simon, Walton Francis and Omari king to name a few. The constant attacks by Jyme Bridges and Walton Francis rapidly broke down the pack leaving about 6 guys to lead by half way into the race. However, Jyme Bridges and Robert Marsh managed to break free from the others, both leading the race with 3 laps to go. The two came down to a hilltop sprint led out by Jyme Bridges, Marsh tried to serge from behind to pass Bridges over the line but the quick acceleration of Bridges was too much for him to get around. Bridges' surge took him over the line to win another race on the cycling association’s calendar.

Rattlers Club, Jyme Bridges won the 2013 Billy’s Food Mart Friars Hill Challenge in time of 2:10.14.015, three minutes off of last year’s winning time. Robert Marsh of East Side Raiders Club settled for 2nd clocking in at 2:10.14.477. Andre Simon of Team Terminix rode home alone 56 seconds later to place 3rd in a time of 2:11.10. Team Terminix also came in 4th and 5th with Marvin Spencer taking 4th place in a time of 2:11.38 and Bobby Simon 5th in a time of 2:11.42.

Team Terminix also swept the B-Class podium with Conroy Thomas on the top spot after completing the 10 lap’s course in a time of 1:53.42, ahead of Tristan Matthew who was 2nd in a time of 1:59.20. Jaleel Cannonier placed 3rd clocking a time of 2:05.25. Nkosie Barnes and Mervin Gore were 4th and 5th respectively.

Junior Class - Joel Phillip whose performance had recently receded manage to win the Junior Class. The young Team Terminix rider completed the 10 lap course in a time of 2:03.34 to win ahead of Colin James who placed 2nd in a time of 2:10.42 whilst Zackyle Joseph was 3rd in time of 2:22.10. Nigel Fabian was the best of the Cadet Class, he completed the 6 lap course in a time of 1:14.44 ahead of the brothers duo of David Simmons who was 2nd (1:37.31) and Dexter Simmons Jr 3rd clocking a time of 1:40.29.

Kevinia Francis of the Road Runners Club was the lone female in Sunday’s race. Kevinia did a commendable effort to challenge herself to complete 6 times up Friars Hill as she had no other female to challenge, Friars Hill has always been the fear of cyclists over the years as it’s the only useful hill on the route at the outskirts of the city. Kevinia completed the 6 lap female course in a time of 1:22.38.

Billy’s Food Mart Friars Hill Challenge marks the halfway point of the 2013 cycling season as we take a break in recognition of the island’s summer festival. The race calendar will continue just after Carnival, starting the 2nd weekend in August. The 2013 Friars Hill Challenge is proudly sponsored by Billy’s Food Mart, Food Brokerage Services, Sunshine Snacks, Caribbean Dreams Spring Water and Bursti Box Juice.