The V.I Cycling Federation mountain bike team swept the field Saturday in the second leg of the Caribbean Cup Mountain Bike Series during the Desert Duel on Anegada.
While holding a cross-country mountain bike race on an island with a highest point of 28 feet above sea level may seem like a contradiction, deep sand and unrelenting rock sections proved to be more than challenging for the field of 30 riders from the BVI, Antigua and St. Croix.
Despite the sand that quickly sucked leg power and the mind-jarring rock, riders from St. Croix took the top three spots in the race. Jamie Keys, the V.I. national cycling champ, completed the approximately 20-mile course in 1:09:59. John Riggs took second in 1:12:39 and Jamie Bate just eight seconds behind in third.
With the weekend victory and one in Nevis in March, Keys takes a commanding lead in the Caribbean Cup series.
Donald George of Virgin Gorda placed fourth at 1:16:27. The BVI’s best rider and biggest threat to Keys, John Miller of Tortola, finished fifth after being slowed down by flat tires.
The course proved to be tough for St. Croix’s father-son team of Bryce and Craig Scott. Bryce, racing in the Junior Class, flatted in the outback of Anegada and ended up hitching a ride back to the finish line. Veteran racer, Craig, finished a little bloody but not any worse for the wear in 2:18:09.
The trip also proved to be a little financially rewarding for Keys as well. He picked up $100 for finishing second in a grueling two-mile, hill climb on Sunday and a time trial on Saturday. Riggs collected $25 for finishing third in the hill climb. The BVI’s Miller went home $200 richer after winning both the hill climb and time trial.
St. Croix will host the next race in the Caribbean Cup Mountain Bike Series on May 26 and 27. For more information, contact Michael McQueston at 772-2343 or check out www.stcroixbike.com or www.bvicycling.com.
