ABACA 16 MILE INDIVIDUAL TIME CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS.
Monday 29th August 2011
Marvin Spencer proves why he is the Nation’s Time Trial Champion at the ABACA 16 Mile Individual Time Championships held on Sunday 28th August.
28 riders tested themselves of how fast can they pedal over a 16 mile distance at the ABACA 16 Mile Individual Time Championships.
The event was broken down to 4 categories with each rider’s setoff one minute apart. Marvin Spencer proved the reason why he is the National Time Trial Champion after making a last minute decision to rider after off his bike nursing his injuries sustained 2 weeks ago.
The National Champion was the last to leave the start gate then it was evident that he was moving the fast on the course. Spencer recorded a time of 36:08 to win the event. The Terminix sponsored, Rebel Racing rider booked himself on the team to Jamaica to defend the nation in the Time Trial event at the 2011 Caribbean Cycling Championships to be held in 17-18th September. Robert Marsh produces the 2nd best time of the day placing 2nd overall clocking a time of 36:36 after was considered clearly the favourite for Sunday’s event. The ABACA’s Points Series leader collected 2nd place points after losing the event by approximately 27 seconds. Marsh who is already booked his spot on the team to Jamaica will represent the country in both Road and Time Trial. Veteran Neil Lloyd placed 3rd after he produced a time of 38:02, 1 minute and 25 seconds off his closest rival. Lloyd stands on the last podium spot in front of Ken Jackson and Cosmos Richardson who was 4th and 5th respectively.
Alvin Merrick came out on top of B-class by producing a time of 41:27. Merrick overcame his toughest rival in these events, Devon Norris who place 2nd in a time of 41:53. Clint Henry of Rattlers Cycling Club placed 3rd in a time of 42:10. A commendable effort came from Gilrick Pryce who made it in the 4th spot. Great effort also came from Walton Francis who placed 5th in his class. Walton just manage to get his bike and himself back together in time for the race after struck be a car a few days before the event. Walton suffered minor injuries to his body and had his frame and back wheel damage. Francis had to borrow a wheel to compete in an aim to continue accumulating his points in the ABACA Points Series Championships.
It was too close to call with the naked eye the times of Tesheed Gordon and Tristan Matthew as Gordon edged Matthew over the 16 mile distance. Tesheed produced a winning time of 42:22.382 to edged Tristan Matthew who was 2nd in a time of 42:23.180. The two who recently competed at the Caribbean Junior Championships in Puerto Rico out rode the new comer, Jermaine James who placed 3rd after producing a time of 44:24 in his 2nd race event. Joel Phillip won the Cadets class over Nigel Fabian after he produced a time of 21:52 on the 1 lap, 8 miles Cadets Course. Nigel Fabian placed 2nd in a time of 22:47 ahead of new comer, Jarett Thomas who was 3rd in a time of 26:32.
Meanwhile, the popular Shirley Heights Challenge is the next race event of the Association. The Shirley Heights Challenge which was originated and sponsored by Amire of Cool and Smooth Store is schedule to take place on 11th September.
The event was sponsored and carried the title of Antigua Vacation’s Limited Shirley Heights Challenge is facing a bit of a challenge after no confirmation from last year’s proud sponsor of their continual support. The event is set on the island’s most challenging course to cover over 44 miles and includes over 5 of the island’s hardest hills which includes, Lion Hill, Loney Hill at Halfmoon Bay, Red Hill, Shirley heights and Hosford Hill before finishing on the top of Seaview Farm Hill. It is still uncertain if the event will still take place on the September 11th.
