Nevis Cycle & Triathlon Club

TORTOLA—Antigua’s Robert Marsh made a triumphant return to win his fourth BVI Cycling Federation-Clarence Thomas Ltd. Tour de Tortola cycle race on Sunday, while the BVI’s Al Gauchi narrowly edged Nevis’ Reggie Douglas for second in a sprint finish. This the headline of the newspapers the day after this very tough event.
Tour De TorTola July 17 had 18 competitors for this gruelling hilly MTB race. Reggie following on from his disapointment in Anguilla, was of half a mind not to go, but after some encouragement from Chris Ghiorse (Tortola) made up his mind the last moment. It was a terrible trip, the plane was to leave at 10.15am but did not reach untill 8.00 pm!!! but Reggie remained focused on the work at hand. Only two other Islands from the out side took part, Nevis and Antigua.
On the first leg of the race Team Tortola tried to break Reggie over the first few hills, but he hung tough and managed to stay with the group, then suddenly boom! Antigua made their move, with Bryan Lyn and Robert Marsh( Ant) getting away. Reggie, after seeing the move managed to put himself into fifth place, but a minute back. Then came five tough hill climbs where Reggie caught and passed two riders including Bryan, putting him in third, the second placed rider Al Gauchi (Tortola) was hard to take down but eventually after risking life and limb on the downhills, he finally caught him. They worked together to try and catch the very impressive Robert Marsh but to no avail, coming in together for a sprint finish some 3 minutes behind, with Gauchi just pipping Reggie on the line by milliseconds.
Reggies best regional result so far, and well deserved, keep up the great work!