Local cyclists racing in the annual Angel Encarnacion Road Race said the weather conditions during the race were perfect this year.
Last year the race had to be canceled because of heavy rainfall, but Sunday’s brisk breeze, overcast skies and temperatures in the low 80s were welcomed by participants. The Virgin Islands Cycling Federation hosted the race in Frederiksted Sunday morning.
In 2009 the annual race was named for Encarnacion, an Elite Cyclist, who died in 2001 in a motorcycle accident.
Bevern Sage, president of the federation, said Encarnacion known as the “silent sprinter” was a trailblazer in the sport on St. Croix. Encarnacion represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Pan American Games in Indianapolis in 1987 and in Cuba in 1991.
“He is really missed by all of us,” Sage said.
The race is held in Frederiksted because Encarnacion grew up and trained there daily. There were 21 cyclists registered in the race and two had to drop out.
Cumber Greaux, who had to drop out of the race because of a mechanical issue, was still cheerful, saying philosophically, “Cycling is life.” Joey Swanson crashed, due to a pothole, that resulted in road rash.
The circuit loop course that stated at Fort Frederik was shortened because a cruise ship was in port.
The Elite group was slated make 12 laps of the 4.5 miles course, but had to reduce it to eight. Similarly, the Expert category went from eight laps to six. And Sport/Master/Women did three laps instead of the originally planned four.
In the Elite group Glenn Massiah came in first at 1:46:20. Narian Gentius came in second with 1:46:22, and David Parris was third with 1:48:18.
Massiah and Gentius said they cycle together for competition and push each other to be the one ahead.
In the Expert category Jonathan Cruz came in first with Miguel Cruz second and Troy Holloway taking third place.
In the Sport category Elston Williams was first, Bevern Sage Jr. finished second and Paul Barone came in third.
Sage said cycling is a great sport and a good healthy outlet for competition for everyone. He said he is trying to get a cycling program introduced in the middle schools. He added the federation will be holding the first Crit Race, open to the public, at 3 p.m. July 4 beginning at Fort Frederik. A Crit race is on tactics and techniques in cycling.
More information about the race and the Federation is available by calling Sage at 1-340-332-6282.
