Nevis Cycle & Triathlon Club

The combined forces of St Kitts and Nevis came together for cycling races in the build up to the Nevis Olympic Triathlon in March, Saturday 29th in the afternoon the race was held on Nevis. The 22km course started at Oualie beach, out to the airport, to TDC and finishing back at Oualie, however the race had a staggered start with the slower riders heading out ahead of the faster ones to make the race as competitive as possible. Three female and one male rider came over from SK, for this fast and fun race that as usual ended with a close sprint off, in the final outcome Royston Stevens (SK) powered his way cross the line less than a second ahead of Reggie Douglas in a time of 30mins 29 secs, visiting US rider Tom Dutton came third, and top female rider Shannon Fitzgerald (SK) in fourth. With a number of first timers involved, these races are tailored to help get over first race nerves and give a feeling for race preparation.
Saturday 5th four riders of Nevis returned the compliment and went over to St Kitts for the third race of the 2005 season, a fast paced coast ride from OJ's gas station in camps to Brimstone hill and back.
St Kitts was represented by 5 women(go ladies!) and two men, there was again a staggered start with the slower group of riders setting out 5 mins ahead of the faster group, the chasing group then set off like greyhounds after the rabbit, setting a furious pace that quickly caught and passed the lead out group. A beautiful day was matched by the fine standard of riding on display, with the lead being swapped several times as the riders jostled for position and engaged different race tactics. Two miles from the finish of the 16mile race the six rider pack was still together, but the fast pace started to take its toll, with Lesroy (snake) Queely (SK) getting dropped first and then failing to finish. However it was not until the final half mile that the hammer went down, the sprint off saw Royston and Reggie battling it out once again for first, with Royston once more taking the top spot by a second in a time of 40mins 40 secs, followed by James Weekes, Tom Dutton, and first female Shannon Fitzgerald in fifth.
A fine race that highlighted the co-operation and friendly rivalry that exists between the two islands, the detailed results of all the events are posted on the club website www.neviscycleclub.com.
Owing to the cancellation of a 10km run event that was being organised by a group in St Kitts, the next event will be a 10km and 5km run race this coming weekend on Nevis, the Nevis Cycle Club is offering a cash prize of EC$400.00 to the 10km winner, call 469 9682 for further details.