Nevis Cycle & Triathlon Club

Nevis Cycle Club held its third road race of the new season, and as part of the build up to the upcoming Nevis Triathlon, for the 14 cyclists involved it was another opportunity to test their current fitness levels. The course ran between Oualie and TDC, two laps for the 30km and one for the 15km, on an afternoon that saw the wind increase in strength as the race went on.
A staggered start system was used allowing the slower riders off first to give everyone someone to chase, the faster riders set off in hot pursuit but favorite to win Reggie Douglas hit a stone in the road causing a blow out in the first mile. Team mate Greg Phillip nobly gave Reggie his front wheel so that he could get back in the race, but now Reggie had a lot of work to do to catch race leaders Tom Dutton and James Weekes. Whilst this action took place the 15km riders did their thing, with runner turned bike rider Dave Armentrout showing marvelous fitness at 66 yrs old to take 1st place in a time of 29:30, followed by Lynn Fiske with MUA student and first time racer Jill Prejean in 3rd.
The women’s 30km was being contested by newcomer Sarah Roderick and veteran team member Paula Price, the women’s field being dwindled by the absence of the St kitts team, despite her lack of experience Sarah held off Paula a well deserved first race win in a time of 1:02:46.
The men’s 30km was now a battle of two parts with Tom and James setting a very fast pace to keep away from the hard charging Reggie, who teamed up with Keith Jones to try and chase them down. However despite Reggie’s best efforts he could not pull back the deficit and it came down to a sprint finish between James and Tom, with James inherent strength proving too much for Tom giving James his first win of the season in a time of 47:52, followed by Tom with Reggie in 3rd.
Next weekend the team will holding its second run race of 10km and 5km as part of its preparation for the Triathlon.