Fidel Mangal’s training stint in Cuba courtesy of the St Lucia Olympic Committee paid off in a big way Sunday. That’s when Mangal left the other cyclists behind and easily won the Elite National Championship Road Race which covered 112 km.
Mangal covered the distance in three hours 27 minutes and six secondsa full five minutes and 16 seconds ahead of second place finisher Kurt Maraj. Mangal emerged victorious despite the fact he sustained a gash on his arm following a crash and two punctures.
The favourites Mangal, Jordan Richard, Kurt Maraj and Winston “Stoney” Williams established themselves early by initiating the lead break. Suffering from cramps, Maraj was out of the lead group approximately 50 km into the race.
The trio of Williams, Richard and Mangal continued until the approach to Cul de Sac via the Millennium Highway. That’s when Mangal went down after touching Richard’s wheel, which in turn threw Williams off his bike. Williams was able to continue immediately, however, Mangal sustained a puncture. As he waited for a wheel change Maraj went by.
Having changed his wheel, Mangal caught up with Maraj and formed an alliance in chasing Richard and Williams who had a two minute advantage. The two cyclists closed the gap as they approached the climb to the Morne via Goodlands.
That’s where Mangal made his move. He passed Maraj, Willams and then Richard during the climb and never looked back. After that it was a race for second place.
In an interview following the race Mangal said: “I felt pretty well at the start and after crashing on the second lap near Cul de Sac, I recovered fairly well after that.”
When asked if his victory was somewhat tainted because some big names were missing including the other half of the Dynamic duo Kirk Maraj, Mangal he replied: “Not really. It would not have made any difference. I would have won anyway.”
Try telling that to the Dynamic Duo. Kirt who was overseas on business/ vacation for two weeks was in no shape to compete but cheered on his twin brother.
Naturally not competing was a big disappointment but did it have any bearing on the eventual outcome of the race.
“Had I been there competing things would have been different,” said Kirk. “I would have given him [Kurt] the physical help.”
Williams of the Excellers Cycling Club placed third in almost the identical time as Maraj (03:32.22).
Richard had to settle for fourth (03:37.11) with fifth place going to Kerry Marius (04:03.06).
In the Junior Male division, Gillan Moses was first followed by Chandoy Moses and Shervon Didier.
Kenneth Mathurin won the Masters divison with President of the St Lucia Cycling Association, Cyril Mangal second and Richard Monplaisir third.
Monique Devaux-Lovell was the top female finisher with Zsuzsa Megyery
second followed by Ashley Volney.
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