Hamilton places sixth in Trinidad cycling classic
Stabroek News
April 2, 2004
Guyana's Tyrone Hamilton placed sixth in the 14-lap Criterium of the Annual Beacon West Indies vs The World Cycling Classic on Tuesday around the Queen's Park Savannah in Trinidad.
According to a Trinidad Guardian report, Venezuelan Richard Ochoa won the event from discarded West Indian rider, Stephen Mangroo. Trinidad's national road champion Emile Abraham had to settle for third place in front of compatriot Chris Gill, United States-based Trinidadian Roger Farrell, Hamilton, Nico Ruyloft of Belgium and Paul Sheppard of Wales respectively. Finishing down the field was Cuban Joel Marinio, who won the event last year ahead of Abraham.
The race, which attracted 80 wheelsmen, was off to a flying start as Abraham recorded the fastest ever lap around the savannah circuit in winning the Cushionfloor prime of TT$1,000. His time was four minutes and 38 seconds, which eclipsed the old mark of 4:51 he held.
There were a series of breakaways after the opening lap. One which stuck for a while featured the winner Ochoa, Abraham and Sheppard. The trio was out front for about four laps and was caught by seven riders with three laps remaining.
Joining Ochoa, Abraham and Sheppard were Mangroo, Ruylof, Farrell, Christopher Gill and another Venezuelan Thomas Gil.
With Abraham, Mangroo and Christopher Gill not riding as a team, the two Venezuelans took advantage of the situation.
Abraham was affected most as he was attacked each time for a prime by Gil, which allowed Ochoa to save his strength for the final grind home.
Having to sprint hard against Gil to win the final `People's' prime with two laps to go took its toll on Abraham, who had noting left in the tank when Ochoa and Mangroo attacked in the final lap.
When Ochoa and Mangroo made their move none of the other riders made any attempt to close the gap and it faded out in a two-man sprint with the latter losing out by a bicycle length. Abraham was in the second group sprinting for the third spot and still proved to be stronger than Gill, Farrell, Hamilton, Ryloft and Sheppard.
Hamilton and a number of other Guyanese cyclists will take to the track this evening when the series continues with a 25 event programme at the Arima Velodrome. Action will continue on Saturday at the same venue then shift to Palo Seco on Sunday.