[dropcap]K[/dropcap]luivert Mitchel was the clear winner in Sunday’s GTM Group of Companies Cycle Road Race which covered a distance of 86 km.
The race got underway at 8:45 am with 18 riders leaving the starting line from the LUCELEC Building on the John Compton Highway. From there they proceeded south to the Castries Waterfront roundabout. After circling it, cyclists headed north along the John Compton Highway all the way to the Mega J Union roundabout. From there they headed back to the original starting point which consisted of one lap and (8.5 km) and continued along that route in covering the 86 km distance.
This race was expected to be a showdown between the trios Andrew Norbert, Kluivert Mitchel and Jessie Mentor who are all from Mon Repos and were the top three finishers in the last race.
Following the start, Dave Charlery on Mon Repos initiated the first attack, followed by Norbert and Mitchel. Charlery was unable to hold as he was reeled in by the pack that included Chester Forde and Valence Aurelien.
Mitchel and Norbert increased the lead on the main pack. By the second lap Mentor made several attempts to go away alone, but was reeled in by Aurelien and Forde.
By the third lap (25km), Mentor was able to get away with Forde joining him in pursuit of Mitchel and Norbert. The two riders in front increased their lead and stayed together until 50km into the race, when Mitchel rode away from Norbert alone.
Mitchel kept increasing his lead, with Mentor and Forde closing in on Norbert who eventually abandoned the race, just about 40 secs ahead of Forde and Mentor at the 59km mark.
Meanwhile, Mitchel had built up a healthy lead of over five minutes. Mentor and Forde were in pursuit with Forde doing most of the work. Meanwhile Fidel Esnard of Project Breakaway left the main pack in search of the three riders ahead.
At the 68km mark the main pack was further depleted, as Aurelien of Project Breakaway who did most of the work chasing was unable to hold on. Jason Tameh and Kenneth Mathurin were off to the back with Richard Shingleton Smith of Project Breakaway and Jordan Joseph of Dennery Valley holding a steady pace.
In the end it was Mitchel of Mon Repos emerging victorious in a time two hours, 16 minutes and 50.95 secs (2:16.51) at an average speed of averaging 37.7km/hr. Mentor placed second in (2:23.28) with Forde third in (2:23.31).
Race Results: (1) Kluivert Mitchel, Mon Repos (2:16.51); (2) Jessie Mentor, Mon Repos (2:23.28); (3) Chester Forde, Unattched (2:23.31); (4) Fidel Esnard, Project Breakaway (2:27.56); (5) Jordan John, Dennery Valley (2:31.35); (6) Richard Shingleton Smith, Project Breakaway (2:31.42); (7) Valence Aurelien, Project Breakaway (2:27.15); (8) Jason Tameh, Project Breakaway (2:39.01); (9) Kenneth Mathurin, Project Breakway (2:42.02); (10) Alvinus Mondesir, Dennery Valley (2:46.43).
