On Sunday the V.I. Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation sponsored the Riding For Tomorrow Road Race, which was hosted by the Virgin Islands Cycling Federation (VITF) on St. Croix.
Thirty-eight cyclists participated in the event, which offered six different racing categories and cash prizes, medals and special gifts to the top three finishers in each category.
Stephen Swanton dominated the three-lap Elite course and finished 45 miles in 2:15:08. Alex Betancourt and Glenn Massiah were second and third, respectively.
The large Expert division came through the first lap of their 30-mile course with nearly all cyclists in the group. It came down to a sprint finish on the second lap with UVI student Elijah Payeur in first place, newcomer Mat Porporato in second place and VICF Vice President David Morales in third place.
Sport rider Mario Butcher picked up the pace as he turned the final corner leading to the finish line of the 15-mile race and left behind second place rider Julie Sommer by 7 seconds. Justin Johnson was the third Sport finisher.
In his first appearance since last year, Joseph Thomas took first place in the 15-mile Masters race in a time of 59:06. Brian O’Reilly was second and Fred Flint was third.
Competing on the same course, the small women’s field was led by Laverne Fredericksen. Jody Goodrich was second; Judy Gario was third.
The VICF was pleased to have three junior cyclists participate in Sunday’s bike race as well. On the 13-mile modified course, Xander Morales, a student at Lew Muckle, led the group from the start. He crossed the finish line in 56:54. Randy Williams, a freshman at Central High, was second in 1:05:33. On a borrowed bike given to him 15 minutes before the race, KoleBert Daisley, a 6th-grade student at Good Hope Country Day School, was a close third in 1:05:35.
The next race will be the East End Road Race on March 19 on St. Croix. For more information on cycling in the USVI, call 643-5050.
Riding For Tomorrow Road Race
Start/Finish: Milgie’s on Route 624
V.I. Department of Sports, Parks Recreation with Virgin Islands Cycling Federation
February 19, 2023 — breezy, hot
Elite 45.0 miles TOTAL TIME/ 1/ 2/ 3
1 Stephen Swanton 2:15:08/ 0:43:16/ 0:45:05/ 0:46:47
2 Alex Betancourt 2:21:14/ 0:42:52/ 0:49:12/ 0:49:10
3 Glenn Massiah 2:24:56/ 0:42:52/ 0:49:39/ 0:52:25
4 David Parris DNF/ 0:47:21/ 0:51:29/
Expert 30.0 miles TOTAL TIME/ 1/ 2
1 Elijah Payeur 1:32:36/ 0:47:21/ 0:45:15
2 Mat Porporato 1:32:37/ 0:47:21/ 0:45:16
3 David Morales 1:33:40/ 0:47:21/ 0:46:19
4 Miguel Cruz 1:33:42/ 0:47:21/ 0:46:21
5 Wayne Nichols 1:33:44/ 0:47:21/ 0:46:23
6 James Bates 1:33:46/ 0:47:21/ 0:46:25
7 Kasey Canton 1:34:34/ 0:47:21/ 0:47:13
8 Matt Tavernier 1:34:41/ 0:47:21/ 0:47:20
9 Jamie Keys 1:34:51/ 0:47:21/ 0:47:30
10 Mario Caines 1:37:35/ 0:47:21/ 0:50:14
11 Norbert Prospere 1:38:50/ 0:47:21/ 0:51:29
12 Jerry Remie 1:38:52/ 0:47:21/ 0:51:31
13 Ted Prosper 1:38:54/ 0:47:21/ 0:51:33
14 Julien Baa 1:44:38/ 0:51:12/ 0:53:26
15 Ben Tavernier 1:45:45/ 0:50:40/ 0:55:05
Kevin Williams DNF
Diego Lima DNF
Sport 15.0 miles TOTAL TIME/ 1
1 Mario Butcher 0:51:35/ 0:51:35
2 Julie Sommer 0:51:42/ 0:51:42
3 Justin Johnson 0:53:12/ 0:53:12
4 Luke Defour 0:54:02/ 0:54:02
5 Chris Dorsey 0:54:04/ 0:54:04
6 Joshua Belardo 1:00:44/ 1:00:44
7 Ajani Williams 1:02:11/ 1:02:11
Brian Otis DNF
Women 15.0 miles TOTAL TIME/ 1
1 Laverne Fredericksen 1:02:37/ 1:02:37
2 Jody Goodrich 1:08:17/ 1:08:17
3 Judy Gario 1:13:24/ 1:13:24
Masters 15.0 miles TOTAL TIME/ 1
1 Joseph Thomas 0:59:06 0:59:06
2 Brian O’Reilly 1:00:44 1:00:44
3 Fred Flint 1:12:56 1:12:56
4 Greg Williams 1:23:50 1:23:50
Juniors 13.0 miles TOTAL TIME/ 1
1 Xander Morales 0:56:54/ 0:56:54
2 Randy Williams 1:05:33/ 1:05:33
3 KoleBert Daisley 1:05:35/ 1:05:35
