Early Sunday morning, hundreds of cyclists and spectators gathered in front of the DC Canegata Ballpark for the reportedly biggest cycling race in the Virgin Islands, a recent press release announced.
Cyclists from four different islands, including Anguilla, St Thomas, Tortola and St Croix, competed in the America’s Paradise Challenge. The race offered seven racing categories, with race distances from 15 miles to 55 miles and prizes totaling $15,000 awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
With the threat of Anguilla’s Cycling Champion in the Elite race, local cyclists were unsure of the challenge they were facing. Leaving from the DC Canegata Ballpark, the Elite group climbed the Christiansted Bypass, passed through Beeston Hill to Southside Rd, where they met the first location where a special prize, called a prime, would be awarded to the cyclist to reach that location first, according to the press release.
Stephen Swanton was awarded the prime at Many Paws Rd., just east of the entrance to Ha’Penny Beach. Within the first 12 miles, the Elite riders separated into two groups as they continued on the undulating hills of the east. Although it was Hasani Hennis’ first time riding on St Croix, he claimed the second prime, which was located at the top of Point Udall. Even though Hennis comes from the relatively flat island of Anguilla, he climbed the beastly hill like a champ, the press release stated.
The race course of the Elite group took the riders back to the DC Canegata Ballpark on East End Rd, where they continued on for a second lap. Hennis gained a substantial gap on the rest of the field, and he finished the 55-mile race over twenty minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, Alex Betancourt. Stephen Swanton was third, the release stated.
The major sponsor of the race, James Bates, was the Expert winner in the 45-mile course; Robin Seila, recently back from a cycling trip in Italy, was first in the 40-mile Elite Women’s race. The large Sport group was led by Calvin Smith of Tortola, who nudged out St Croix’s Sue Brown in the final stretch of the 25-mile race. Howard Jones of St Thomas reached the finish line unchallenged in the 25-mile Masters Men race. Jody Goodrich was the winner of the 15-mile Masters Women race, while Xander Morales, age 12, crushed the Junior’s race for first place, it said.
The first annual event was so successful because of the many sponsors and volunteers who were involved, including Bates Trucking, Diageo USVI, Carlos Furniture, Flemings’ Transport, Spicy Grill, Island Life Adventures: St Croix’s Bike Shop, Rouge Cafe, Seaside Market & Deli, Leatherback Brewing Company, Sgt Joseph and the VIPD, VI Fire & EMS, Dept of Sports, Parks & Recreation, Dept of Public Works, Board of VICF, The Reef 103.5, 340 Misfits Motorcycle Club, Christiansted Mango Tree Riders, DJ Abraham and DEAR Productions, according to the release.
For official results, click here.
