The adrenaline-packed May Classics cycling series has returned, with the West Bay Circuit serving as the opening event of the four-race schedule.
The annual series, which commenced on Sunday, 10 May, began at 7am and featured a course which is considered the most technical of the four races.
The race structure required participants to complete eight laps of a 3.1-mile circuit for a total distance of 24.8 miles, combining high-speed and tight cornered sections on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway through the West Bay Road.
A slippery start
The race was contested under wet conditions, with rain making the road surface slippery and contributing to a crash during the opening lap.
Valerio Lodigiani secured first place in the Category 1 division and the overall race win by finishing ahead of the pack in the final sprint.
“We started the race in the rain [so] it was quite slippery, but I am very proud and very happy that I managed to win the sprint,” Lodigiani said.
Jeremy Solomon finished in second place for Category 1 after being involved in the early crash and spending four laps trailing the lead group before successfully re-joining the front and securing second place.
“The race was interesting, to say the least. [After the crash], it took me about four laps to catch the front group. Obviously, I wanted the top podium, but under the circumstances [and] the amount of work that was put in to catch the group back … [I think it was a] great result,” Solomon said.
Remaining optimistic, Solomon added, “I have a little bit of road rash on my hip, on my shoulder and my elbow, but it’s a gladiator sport. Three more races to go!”
Rounding out the podium in the Category 1 division was Jerome Ameline who claimed third place.
In Category 2, David Cottle took the top spot, followed by Lionel Durrant in second and David Hill in third.
Category 3 saw Aaron Roye claim first place, with Chester Hurlston and Stephen Gould finishing second and third, respectively.
Carl Morgan led Category 4, finishing ahead of Jake Fagan who took second and Edrick Vernon who raced to third.
Patryk Plata, 17, won the 18 and under Junior category, while the Masters division – ages 40-49 – saw Carlos Vargas take first place.
In the Women’s category, Emily Clarke secured the win with Rachel Hartley finishing in second place.
Rich Payne won the Senior Masters category (50+), followed by Devon Bailey in second.
Three races to go
The May Classics is open to all Cayman-resident athletes, with registration managed exclusively through the Cayman Islands Cycling Association website.
Participants had the option to register for the full series at a cost of $100 or can enter the single circuit race for $30.
Following the conclusion of the West Bay Circuit, the May Classics will continue with three remaining events: the South Sound Time Trial on 17 May, the East End Road Race on 18 May, and the CostULess Circuit on 24 May.
During this series, competitors have the chance to secure the Sprint Champion title and the Green Jersey which is given to the rider in each class with the most sprint points by the conclusion of the classics.
These sprint points are available during specific sprint intervals after the second, fourth, sixth and eighth laps in this event with different laps being designated as a ‘sprint lap’ depending on the course.
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