Hot start to Dew Cycling Classics

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 11 May 2018

The 2018 Dew Cycling Classics series got underway with a 57-mile road race on 6 May featuring around three dozen riders taking to the streets of the Eastern Districts of Grand Cayman.

Cyclists were pooled into eight categories, with juveniles completing one 19-mile loop; masters, super masters, category four, and women contesting over two loops. Riders in categories one, two and three did the full distance. The course took riders from Frank Sound, through East End and along the Queen’s Highway and back through North Side to the start/finish line outside Clifton Hunter High School.

Nathaniel Forbes beat the only other juvenile, Josh Weaver, for the top spot in the category. They crossed the line amid a rush of activity with riders from the other categories they were riding in. Forbes clocked 59:41.7, with Weaver 59:42.4.

: Nadine Gray was one of two female cyclists on the road.

: Nathaniel Forbes and Josh Weaver.

The end of the next lap threw up a surprise for spectators at the finish. Jerome Ameline comfortably eased to the line all by himself more than a minute ahead of his nearest rival to top the masters category.

He explained to CaymanSportsBuzz.com how he opened such a gap on the field after the first lap. “I managed to follow the first four or five guys, but I did not challenge them [for the sprint at the end of the first lap] but as soon as they started to slow down, that’s when I made my attack,” said Ameline, who had a hernia surgery a few weeks earlier.

Ameline said Michele Smith, who he considered his biggest threat, tried to stay with him but could not keep up and he established his dominance near the Wyndham Reef Resort in East End. “He had to rely on the others to catch me but once I had the gap, I thought I was the best time trial rider of the group and I said it is one against 20 but I am stronger. If they don’t work together, I should get them.”

Jerome Ameline celebrates his win.

James Mellen and Edward Harper were next in a big group of riders across the line. (see results below).

Then the wait was on for those doing three laps to finish. In the end, Michael Testori took the field in 2:27.57.

“I was just watching everyone because I have a big target on my back,” said the 24-year-old, who competed at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Australia last month. “Closing down every attack was the only way to guarantee placement at the end. Obviously, it takes a bit out of you with the stop-and-go riding, but I managed to close down every attack to win the sprint points and win the overall race.”

James Smith and Patrick Harfield were second and third among the elite riders.