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In the quiet of the morning at 5:30am on Sunday the first nine cyclists set off on the “Early Start” of the 18th Annual Tour de Tortola Mountain Bike Race.

Included in this group were four women who entered the shortened “Fun Novice”,  At 7:00am Minister for Education, Sports & Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn set off the remaining 36 cyclists in a controlled start with former Female Caribbean Cycling Champion Lisa Adamson leading the way and setting the pace.

At the Road Town ferry dock the pacer pulled off and the race proper started in a westerly direction and continued clockwise around Tortola covering 37 miles and over 3,000 feet of climbing including the arduous climb up Windy Hill.

Among the cyclists were four juniors who had a shortened course allowing them to descend Little Dix Hill and avoid the climb and descent to and from the Prison at Balsum Ghut.  We were honoured to welcome overseas participants Maria Gooding of Trinidad and Reginald Douglas and James Weekes of Nevis.  Part time BVI resident Ricky Rodriguez rode for his native Puerto Rico.  We were also very pleased that five cyclists from our sister island of Virgin Gorda participated   The cyclists included nine women and men ranging from the youngest 16 year old junior to our most senior riders in their 60′s.

Orano Andrews, defending his consecutive four year title was first to break away from the lead group chased by Gareth Thomas.  The two Nevis riders Douglas and Weekes battled with Rodriguez, past winner Philippe Leroy and Antony Spencer.   The chase pack consisted of Sally Blackmore, three masters category riders Adrian Dale, Manasseh Philip and Craig Allam and veteran category cyclist Alastair Abrehart.

As expected the climb up Windy Hill separated the riders even more and Blackmore was able to drop the chase group until Abrehart reeled her in.  Andrews had opened a minute and a half lead when he unfortunately suffered a flat which allowed Thomas to take the lead.  Rodriguez and Douglas rode together until Douglas decided to try and close the gap on Thomas.

Meantime Andrews fixed his flat and rode at an astonishing pace passing many cyclists that had passed him on the side of the road and made up much of his lost time. However, it wasn’t quite enough and Thomas stormed to a fabulous finish in an incredible time of 2 hours 25 minutes, six minutes ahead of runner up Douglas.  Rodriguez took third in 2 hours 36 minutes. Blackmore was the first female over the line in 2:56, putting her in 8th position overall.  Visiting female Gooding took second in 3:11 with Carolina Pettigrew third in 3:14.

The main course cyclists were awarded finishers medals on completion of the course and trophies were awarded in each of the categories.  The overall male and female podium places received overall trophies with champagne in true winners fashion for the top male and female.

In the Junior category the youngsters did an incredible job of their shortened, but just as tough course of 32 miles.  Ricardo Jones placed first with an amazing time of 2 hours 30 minutes with Barney Nockolds second in 2:43 with Melvin Knight and Raffique Pope taking third and forth respectively. The Fun Novice course of 28 miles attracted four female participants.  Patlian Johnson took first place in 2 hours 51 minutes with the other 3 participants cycling together in a group and finishing in 3:54.

While the juniors and adults were hard at work with the Tour the Cadets were doing their own race with laps around the Port Purcell Warehouse area.  Dara Smith and Clifton Forbes organized the twelve boys and girls aged 6 to 12 years into their age groups and appropriate number of laps.  All the children were awarded medals and ribbons for their efforts.  Please see full results below.

We would like to thank the many volunteers, helpers and assistants who gave their time to make this event a huge success. In no particular order they are:

Last Stop Sports Bike Shop, Family Food & Bakery, Five Girls Value Centre, DHL, Riteway, RTW – BVI’s supplier of Gatorade, BVI Tourist Board, Caribbean Reality, Ceres Juices, Sensus Gym, Advocare Products/Joe Standish, Tool Town, BVI Cycling Federation, Philip Elliott, Lisa Adamson, Corrine Philip, Beef Island Water Stop guys, Red Cross, Peter Willmott, Eben Meyers, John Shirley, Arlene Francis, Adrian Dale, Richard Morgan, Dara Smith, Clifton “Tito” Forbes, Jan Critchley, parents, supporters, friends and well wishers en route.

The next BVI Mountain Bike Club event is the Norman Island Challenge on Sunday 10th June,  For more information about our club and events contact President Jim Cullimore on 496-6846 or email: [email protected]

OVERALL (37 miles)

1. Gareth Thomas 2:25  FIRST OVERALL MALE
2. Reginald Douglas (Nevis) 2:31  SECOND OVERALL MALE
3. Ricky Rodriguez (PR) 2:36  THIRD OVERALL MALE
4. James Weekes (Nevis) 2:40
5. Philippe Leroy 2:41
6. Antony Spencer 2:47
7. Orano Andrews 2:53
8. Sally Blackmore 2:56  FIRST OVERALL FEMALE
9. Alastair Abreharet 2:57
10. Adrian Dale 3:01
11. Anghel George 3:02:02
12. Craig Allam 3:02:51
13. Manasseh Philip 3:11:11
14. Tim Clipstone 3:11:18
15. Maria Gooding (Trinidad) 3:11:37  SECOND OVERALL FEMALE
16. Caroline Pettigrew 3:14  THIRD OVERALL FEMALE
17. Statius Talium 3:18
18. Antonio Andrews 3:21
19, Jim Cullimore 3:22
20. Kim Takeuchi 3:23:22
20. Henk Vergeer 3:23:50
21.Colen Corea 3:42:27
22. John Shirley 3:42:45
23. Dave Pettigrew 3:43
24. Sam Tucker 3:54
25. Kay Reddy 4:04
26. Gary Wilson 4:06:24
27. Keith Williams 4:06:58
28. Gary Salter 4:23
29. Rusty Burns 4:24
30. Laurens Blok 4:24
31. Tom Merrigan 4:51
Richard Morgan DNF
Clinton Simmond DNF
Alston Hanley DNF
Joe Giacinto DNF

EXPERTS (37 miles)

1. Gareth Thomas
2. Reggie Douglas
3. Ricky Rodriguez
4. James Weekes
5. Orano Andrews
6. Statius Talium
7. Antonia Andrews
8. Gary Salter
DNF Richard Morgan
DNF Alston Hanley
DNF Clinton Simmond

VETERANS (37 miles)

1. Antony Spencer
2. Alastair Abrehard
3. Anghel George
4. Tim Clipstone
5. Colen Corea
6. Dave Pettigrew
7. Chris Ghiorse
8. Sam Tucker
9. Gary Wilson
10. Keith Williams
11. Rusty Burns
12. Laurens Blok

MASTERS (37 miles)

1. Philippe Leroy
2. Adrian Dale
3. Craig Allam
4. Manasseh Philip
5. Henk Vergeer
6. John Shirley

SENIOR MASTERS (37 miles)

1. Jim Cullimore
2. Tom Merrigan

GRAND SENIOR MASTERS (37 miles)

DNF Joe Giacinto

WOMEN (37 miles)

1. Sally Blackmore
2. Maria Gooding
3. Carolina Pettigrew
4. Kim Takeuchi
5. Kay Reddy

JUNIORS (32 miles)

1. Ricardo Jones
2. Barney Nockolds
3. Melvin Knight
4. Raffique Pope
Chris Ghiorse (completed Junior course)

FUN NOVICE (28 miles)

1. Patlian Johnson
4= Joanna Wilkinson
4= Jessica Broderick
4= Rhiannon Jones

CADETS

BOYS 5-6 YEARS

1. Alex Fountain
2. Noah Cottreau

BOYS 7-8 YEARS

1. William Clipstone
2. Johannes Blok
3. Tai Thomas

BOYS 9-10 YEARS

1. Derek Pettigrew
2. John Cullimore
3. Clifton Forbes Jnr.

BOYS 11-12 YEARS

1.  Liam Blok
2. John Pettigrew

GIRLS 7-8 YEARS

1. Angelica Pini

GIRLS 9-10 YEARS

1. Cleavanna Forbes

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