(Trinidad Newsday) A NEW champion was crowned in the Perfection Services-sponsored Leslie King Memorial Cycle Classic yesterday.
Guyana’s Warren Mc Kay who rode for Team Trek in the Senior Division, took the top honour from a large field that included defending champion Philip Clark of Barbados.
The Team trek rider completed the gruelling 50-mile race from Nestle to the Mayaro Sporting Complex in a time of two hours, 21 minutes and 23 seconds.
He edged Clark in a sprint to the finish to cop the $1,000 winner’s prize.
Clark who recently won the Nathan Hajal Cycle Classic at George V Park, St Clair also finished in a time of (2:21.23).
Meanwhile rising talent Troy Nelson of Bike Smith was third, followed by Gene “Geronimo” Samuel (Team Trek). Both men finished in two hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds.
Colin “Squeakie” Wilson (Team Trek) and Team Foundation’s Adam Alexander finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Samuel who claimed fourth among the seniors, also secured the top spot in the veterans 50-plus for his team.
Jeffrey Lafond earned the runner-up position in the veterans’ 50-plus while Cyril Fook of Parkside was third.
The veterans 60-plus event provided another work-out for Peter Hernandez as he expectedly won the event for his club Hummingbird.
Receiving silver medal in the 60-plus riders was Earl Mc Leod of Rafmon Mecalfab while Germany’s Erwin Dorsh was third.
In the race for 40 years and over cyclists, it was Roger Smart who sped to victory ahead of the pack.
He was followed by Ancil Roberts (Sonics) while Wendell Noel of Parkside secured third.
Meanwhile organisers were left fuming yesterday after no Trinidad and Tobago Women cyclists entered the event. Gregory Dandrade, an executive member of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) said the event was held to honour deceased rider Leslie King as well as provide an opportunity for cyclists to improve their standard.
He told Newsday he had expected to see a number of local female riders out to compete against a strong international contingent but no one showed up.
In their absence, however, German Alexandra Constance claimed the top spot with Naomi Singh of Guyana securing the runner-up position and England’s Louis Smart in third.
Justin Roberts pedalled Parkside to the victory in the Juniors. He finished ahead of the Sonics’ pair of Akil Campbell and Samuel Alleyne in second and third respectively.
Among the Juveniles, it was Urba Bourne who eked out a hard-fought victory from Risann Jiminez of Degree Madonna Wheelers. Nicholas Wilson of Southampton was third.
Meanwhile the Ramon Belmontes triumphed in the Tinymites division ahead of Kristoff Frontin of Sonics and Kaleen Williams.
