AS PREDICTED, John Turton was the winner of the Barbados Cycling Union's (BCU) criterium held last Sunday.

The most challenging part of the race was the twists and turns in Seaview, St James, and that is where Turton made the first break from the pack. However, he didn't head out on his own.

Jason Perryman was right by his side. The young man was scheduled to compete in Bermuda, but with the approach of Hurricane Florence, he left the island and returned in time to make the start.

The two kept pace for most of the race, through Trents, Holetown and up Seaview to the Lawrence Johnson Roundabout near St Thomas' Parish Church. It was on the same stretch through Seaview thatTurton shook off Perryman. With two laps remaining, Turton made the break and struck out on his own, cruising to victory. Perryman was second, while Edward Julien won the sprint finish to take third place ahead of Greg Downie. Stevenson Gibbs was fifth.

If Turton's win was expected, no one was more impressive than the versatile Jason Wilson, winner of the junior division. Wilson is a triathlete, so he is quite at home in the saddle. He also has endurance as he is a long-distance swimmer and represented Barbados in the 3 000 metres at the CARIFTA Games this year.

Wilson was about five minutes ahead of the field, followed by Shane Weekes, Dwayne Bellamy and Ross Callender. He will join the Barbados team on this weekend's Tour of Tobago.

Darren Matthews was first among the juveniles, followed by Alex Yearwood and Adam Crebbin. Jamol Eastmond won the Tiny Mites division, with Javed Mounter second and Galvin Payne third. Steve Marshall Jr had the upset win in the masters, defeating Sedwin Jones, Ronald Harding and Craig Wharton, respectively.

"It is a good test for them ahead of the Tour of Tobago because that is going to be a very hilly race," said public relations officer Colin Forde.

"That is one of the reasons we put in this race so they would be able to be more competitive in the hilly terrain in Tobago."

The team departs today. (SAC)