The Virgin Islands Cycling Federation wrapped up its competitive season last weekend with two championship races: a time trial on Saturday and a road race on Sunday.
On Saturday morning, 21 cyclists battled the scorching sun and heat on a 12-mile course along St. Croix’s southside. Due to poor road conditions, the Elite race distance was shortened from the usual 24 miles to 12 miles, so all six categories competed over the same distance in the V.I. Championship Time Trial.
Elite cyclist Stephen Swanton secured a commanding victory, finishing with a time of 30:59. His wife, Robin Seila, also an Elite cyclist, posted the fastest overall time among women, clocking in at 33:35, which placed her fifth overall. Norbert Prospere defended his title in the Expert category with a time of 33:55, just 4 seconds slower than his 2023 performance. In the Sport category, Xander Morales easily took the gold with a time of 33:07, placing fourth overall (his father, David Morales, came in third). Ernst Schuster was the fastest in the Masters category, finishing in 40:20. Jody Goodrich topped the Women’s category with a time of 45:49, while Randy Williams crushed his previous year’s time by 2 minutes and 45 seconds to claim gold in the Junior category.
Sunday morning’s VI Cycling Road Race Championship saw a mix of fresh legs and fatigued racers from the previous day. Elite cyclists tackled two loops around St. Croix’s east end, covering 50 miles with a finish near the salt pond. Stephen Swanton dominated from the first lap, leaving the competition behind and finishing first in 2:31:2. Alex Betancourt took second, trailing over five minutes behind, while Robin Seila confirmed her status as the fastest female cyclist in the Virgin Islands, placing third overall in the Elite division.
The Expert race, the largest category, had a surprise twist when Norbert Prospere dropped out after the first lap. James Bates emerged victorious, completing the race in 2:12:21, just a second ahead of Ted Prosper in second place, with Jerry Remie finishing third.
In the Sport race, there was little doubt about the winner even before the race began. Thirteen-year-old Xander Morales, who has dominated the season, claimed another victory by finishing the 25-mile race in 1:16:24. Guy Augustin took second with a time of 1:22:11, while Ralph Bartlett placed third.
The 15-mile Masters race saw a close finish between Ernst Schuster and St. Thomian rider Wally Bostwick, with Schuster narrowly holding off Bostwick for the win. Nelson Rojas finished third.
Jody Goodrich received a special award for her dedication to training this season, along with a gold medal for her first-place finish in the 15-mile Women’s race. Judy Gario, who has been competing since 2016, took second place.
In the Junior race, 15-year-old Logan Keys won the 15-mile race in 50:48, with 14-year-old Randy Williams finishing second.
The VICF will host the America’s Paradise Challenge on St Croix on Sunday, October 13, which will include local and off-island competitors. For more information, please contact 513-2707.
Virgin Islands Cycling Federation
Championship Road Race
Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 7 a.m.
Start/Finish: Great Pond Store
Conditions: very hot, calm, some cloud coverage
ELITE – 50 Miles (two big loops) 1st lap /2nd lap
- Stephen Swanton – 2:31:21 /1:15:13 1:16:08
- Alex Betancourt – 2:36:49 /1:16:40 1:20:09
- Robin Seila* – 2:46:00 /1:16:44 1:19:16
- Glenn Massiah – 3:02:01 /1:19:31 1:42:30
EXPERT – 40 Miles (one big loop, one small loop) 1st lap 2nd lap
- James Bates – 2:12:21 / 1:23:39 48:42
- Ted Prosper – 2:12:22 / 1:23:39 48:43
- Jerry Remie – 2:12:36 / 1:23:39 48:57
- Joey Swanson – 2:12:58 / 1:23:39 49:19
- Esther Ellis – 2:18:56 / 1:23:39 55:17
- Miguel Cruz – 2:28:04 / 1:31:19 56:45
Norbert Prospere – DNF /1:23:39
SPORT – 25 Miles (one big loop)
- Xander Morales – 1:16:24
- Guy Augustin – 1:22:11
- Ralph Bartlett – 1:30:19
- Yves Abraham – 1:33:10
- Joseph Bramble – 1:33:12
MASTERS – 15 Miles (one small loop)
- Ernst Schuster – 53:57
- Wally Bostwick – 53:58
- Nelson Rojas – 55:39
- James Matthew – 55:57
WOMEN – 15 Miles (one small loop)
- Jody Goodrich – 1:00:24
- Judy Gario – 1:08:26
JUNIORS – 15 Miles (one small loop)
- Logan Keys – 50:48
- Randy Williams – 58:03
*Elite Female Champion
