Ted’s Figtree Hill 35 mile Road Race took off with a flying start on Sunday 19th September. This race meant more to the riders than any other races as it was used as a practice race for the national team for the 2010 Delhi Games and others used it in hunt for points and position in the Association’s second to last race in the point’s series championships and, of course, to be the prestigious winner of the island’s most toughest race. But Jyme Bridges came out to prove that he was the toughest of the pack as he surges in the Figtree Hill climb to break up the lot of elite riders which was led by Marvin Spencer. Robert Marsh and Ken Jackson responded to the attack of Bridges but he was too much for them. Bridges rode up Figtree Hill in a burst of speed as if the terrain was flat. The 21 year old continued to lead the entire route to ride home to victory.
Jyme won the 2010 Figtree Hill Road race in a time of 1:45.21, two minutes faster than last years’ time which was set by him. This victory sealed Bridges at the top of the point’s series as the number 1 ranked cyclist going into the 2011 cycling season. Robert Marsh continued to show his strength by kept the chase to close the gap open by Jyme in the featured climb. The 41 year powered his way home alone to narrow the gap and placing 2nd some 58 seconds behind of the winner. Marsh placed 2nd in a time of 1:46.21. The Grand master, Dale Richardson had a commendable ride and sprinted home for 3rd, he out classed Omari King and Patrick Peters who was 4th and 5th respectively.
Abevia McDonald won the B-Class, he came to the finish line ahead of some A-Class rides to snap to top position. The 18 year old completed the 35 mile course in a time of 1:55.16.72 after edging his teammate, Xavier Henry to the line. Xavier Henry returned to racing after he took a break over a year ago. Xavier Henry placed 2nd in a time of 1:55.16.88 ahead of B-Class favorite Timothy Thomas who was 3rd in a time of 1:56.12.
Tamiko Butler continues to win by big margins after easily winning Sunday’s race. Butler kept with the guys for a quarter of the course then solo her way home to win the 25 mile female race. Tamiko won the race in a time of 1:34.53, 24 minutes ahead of a rapidly improving Keitha Mannix. Mannix placed 2nd in a time of 1:59.04 ahead of Dorothy Graham for the first time. Dorothy placed 3rd in a time of 2:02.04.
3 riders rode the beginner’s class resulting with Jason Reaburn winning. Reaburn placed 1st in a time of 1:43.33 ahead of Daryl Matthew who was 2nd in a time of 1:46.49. 16 year old Kirk Anderson was 3rd in a time of 2:22.29. the Ted’s Figtree Hill 35 mile Road Race was sponsored by cycling enthusiast, Ted Mathias and Lucozade.
