Cycling: Abbott wins 57-mile road race

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 17 May 2017

Abbott beats the pack to the line.

As the sun rose above the eastern skyline on Sunday, 14 May, more than 30 riders got set for the longest race of the Cayman Islands Cycling Association’s Dew Classics Series – a 57-mile challenge on the roads of the eastern districts.

Top riders completed three loops from Clifton Hunter High School in Frank Sound, through East End, along the Queen’s Highway and back through North Side to the start/finish line. Other riders were required to complete two loops.

In the end, less than half a second was what separated Steven Abbott from the field, as he crossed the line first in two hours, 24 minutes and 17.006 seconds, edging Michael Testori (2:24:17.414), the winner of the first race a week earlier, into second place.

: Jerome Ameline (left) was enjoying his ride. Michael Testori (to his right) leads the standings.

: Michele Smith won the Masters race.

Abbott spoke to CaymanSportsBuzz.com moments after finishing the race, recalling how he had to claw his way back into contention, averaging a speed of just under 24 miles per hour.

“The first loop was kind of rapid with three riders getting away fairly early on. The contested the first sprint and were off. A bunch of us worked together on the second loop and we eventually caught them before the final sprint,” Abbott said.

“Things were a bit tactical the final lap. The heat [was a factor], the sun was coming out and there was a flurry of attacks between myself, Jerome Ameline, Michael [Testori], Pedro [Ramos]. We all had a go [but] couldn’t get anywhere. So, it came down to a sprint at the end…and I just managed to nick it in a sprint.”

: Cyclists make their way through East End.

: Jonathan Webster and Chester Hurlston move through North Side.

Testori’s second place finish was good enough to keep him atop the standings of the four-race Dew Classics Series. Third on Sunday was Marius Deysel (2:24:17.950).

DJ Evans was fifth overall but top among Category 2 riders. Yazzer Abdulah was 10^th overall and first in Category 3.

Michele Smith topped the Masters category among riders who did the shorter distance of 38 miles. He finished in 1:48:30.488, followed by Daniel Cummings (1:48:34.510) and James Melen (1:50:18.364).

Laurent Weber was fastest among the Super Masters, while Margott Lares was the first female finisher.

See full table and standings below. The next race is the 10-mile time trial starting near Bodden Town Police Station on Sunday, 21 May.