Brandon Wilkie pulled his G4S Swift jersey in both hands and crossed the finish line unchallenged, bringing an end to the gruelling two-hour Fontabelle cycling criterium last Sunday.
Wilkie survived the battle of speed and endurance, maintaining the slight lead he gained on teammate Darren Matthews, who was second overall, and Russell Elcock of Illusion Graphic Fusion.
Unlike circuit races which are done by laps, this was based on time and it proved to be the undoing of several riders who could not keep up the pace.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic cyclist Njisane Phillip, who was in the island with Matthews, started the race using borrowed equipment, but stopped after eight laps because of an uncomfortable fit.
Edward Julien led home a trio of independent riders also comprising John Proverbs and Timothy O’neal who took top honours among the masters, while Edwin Sutherland of A Class Battery Golden Wheelers was the only competitor in the juniors.
Independent riders David Gilkes and John Blackman, as well as Rene Lashley of Fusion, were the top three in the Category 4 Novice.
The tiny mites and juveniles rode for half the time. Tremaine Forde-Catwell crossed ahead of his G4S teammate Dean Holder, competing in his very first race.
Darius Ramsammy and Vernon James of G4S Swift were first and third, respectively among the juveniles, split by Jacob Kelly.
About 30 riders faced the starter.
Next weekend will be a three-stage event comprising a time trial, criterium and road race. (SAT)
