Sept. 16, 2008 – On roads that were inundated with tons of gravel from the torrential rains of the last few weeks, Paul Trivino took advantage of a record number of flat tires among his fellow competitors to capture the 2008 Virgin Islands Cycling Federation's National Championship.
The race was held on the North Shore of St. Croix, and the 11-mile loop featured hills, tricky turns and enough loose sand to rebuild an eroded beach. The Elite Category started with seven riders on their five-lap journey. By the time it was over, half the field either pulled out or had to take time to repair tire punctures.
Trivino, of the Twin City squad, and Glenn Massiah of STX 340, made an early break away on the second lap, and the rest of the field was content to let them go. By the fourth lap, the lead had grown to five minutes, and the only question was whether Trivino could shake Massiah on the final lap in order to avoid setting up a sprint finish with the speedy 340 rider. However, with seven miles to go, a sharp stone took all the steam out of Massiah, as he had to stop and repair a softening tire. Trivino cruised home alone for the win in 2:56:47, capturing his first national championship. Massiah was second in 2:58:19 and teammate Cumber Greaux was third in 3:06:45.
The 33-mile Expert Category saw Dwight Sergeant of STX 340 attack on the Rust op Twist Hill on the second lap, and ride unchallenged to the finish. His time of 1:47:55 was 2.5 minutes ahead of the rest of competitors. STX 340 riders Marius Modeste and Dale Scope completed a clean sweep of the top spots, in 1:50:32 and 1:50:38.
The two-lap Sport group had veterans and rookies squaring off. First year rider Mark Defour opened up a small gap with five miles to go, but his young legs lacked the miles to make the move stick. Dick Isherwood, over three times the age of the young Defour, nipped him at the line, taking first in 1:15:43, less than a second ahead of Defour. David Morales was another two seconds back in third.
The Women's category looked to be all sewn up as Sara Gambee opened a large lead after the first of their two laps. But to no one's surprise on this day, she caught a flat and did not finish. Darynnette Acevedo and Denise Blanchette traded the lead for the final eight miles, with Acevedo finishing first in 1:30:05. Blanchette was five seconds back in second, and Patricia Ramon rounded out the podium sports in 1:57:08.
The season ending race also marked the end of the yearlong team competition. The Twin City riders held a slim lead over STX 340 for most of the year, and their final winning tally of 125 bested 340's total of 107. Twin City received a check for $500 to have championship jerseys printed for the 2009 season.
This was the final race of the 2008 season, which began in January. The top Virgin Island men and women will have an opportunity to qualify for the Caribbean Cycling Championships at the Winner's Time Trial, to be held on the airport loop on Sept. 28.
V.I. National Championship Race – September 14, 2008
Elite- 55 miles
1. Paul Trivino – 2:56:47
2. Glenn Massiah- 2:58:19,
3. Cumber Greaux – 3:06:45
4. Sue Brown – 3:06:46
Juancito Gario – DNF
John Riggs – DNF
Apolinar Acevedo – DNF
Expert – 33 miles
1. Dwight Sergeant – 1:47:55
2. Marius Modeste -1:50:32
3. Dale Scope – 1:50:38
4. Jonathan Cruz – 1:50:39
5. Miguel Cruz – 1:50:40
6. Richard Jeanpierre – 1:51:15
7. James Meyers – 2:00:58
8. Mark Kennedy – 2:04:38/Brad Chaffee – 2:04:38
Alex Betancourt – DNF
Edwin Cruz – DNF
Sport – 22 miles
1. Dick Isherwood – 1:15:43
2. Mark Defour – 1:15:43
3. David Morales – 1:15:45
4. Tim Smith – 1:15:47
5. Fred Flint – 1:16:47
6. Luis Cruz – 1:21:52
7. Yves Abraham – 1:21:52
8. Paul Gillette – 1:40:08
9. Jan Steinberg – 1:40:54
Women – 22 miles
1. Darynnette Acevedo – 1:30:05
2. Denise Blanchette – 1:30:10
3. Patricia Ramon – 1:57:08
4. Sara Gambee – DNF
