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2010 Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships
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The event is organized by the Aruba Cycling Federation, and comprises a time trial (Saturday August 7) and a road race (Sunday August 8).
The BBA has named its team to compete at the event as follows:
Junior Men (17-18)
Tre’Shun Correia
Dominique Mayho
Juvenile Men (15-16)
Mark Godfrey
Marquise Cann
Junior Women (15-18)
Hayley Evans
Team Managers
Peter Dunne
Nigel Godfrey
The BBA has named its team to compete at the event as follows:
Junior Men (17-
Dominique Mayho
Juvenile Men (15-
Marquise Cann
Junior Women (15-
Team Managers
Peter Dunne
Nigel Godfrey
Saturday August 7
Time Trial - 18km
Click here for course map
Sunday August 8
Road Race
Juvenile Men - 60km
Junior Women - 50km
Junior Men - 80km
Click here for course map
Time Trial -
Sunday August 8
Road Race
Juvenile Men -
Day 1
Travel day to Aruba via Miami. American Airlines were very generous in waiving bike box charges for the team, and very efficient in checking everyone in. On time journeys and making a tight connection in Miami meant that we were all in Aruba by 2:00PM - all except Dunne and Cann bags. They are arriving later tonight.
Big delay at Aruba airport waiting for bikes to be cleared by customs, and waiting for the Puerto Rico team to arrive so that we could all be bused to the race hotel.
The bikes have all been built - no drama - just realising how juniors really are not into cleaning bikes at the moment! With all the dealys, have not had a chance to test the bikes - that will be in the morning.
The hotel is very comfortable (check out www.aruban-resort.com) and right alongside the TT course. This is an ultra flat, ultra smooth course with wide u-turns at each end. Should produce some good times, although there will be a steady headwind in one direction.
It is hot, but not unbearably so, and the wind means that humidity seems low.`Will need to make sure that the juniors stay well hydrated.
The Bermuda Timing team is also here in Aruba, having traveled down with us. Last we saw of them was customs going through the bags of timing equipment with them. They are at a different hotel, and we will be keeping our distance for the duration.
Travel day to Aruba via Miami. American Airlines were very generous in waiving bike box charges for the team, and very efficient in checking everyone in. On time journeys and making a tight connection in Miami meant that we were all in Aruba by 2:00PM -
Big delay at Aruba airport waiting for bikes to be cleared by customs, and waiting for the Puerto Rico team to arrive so that we could all be bused to the race hotel.
The bikes have all been built -
The hotel is very comfortable (check out www.aruban-
It is hot, but not unbearably so, and the wind means that humidity seems low.`Will need to make sure that the juniors stay well hydrated.
The Bermuda Timing team is also here in Aruba, having traveled down with us. Last we saw of them was customs going through the bags of timing equipment with them. They are at a different hotel, and we will be keeping our distance for the duration.
Day 2
Breakfast of Champions! The health-minded team dined on cereal, fruit yoghurt and (unfrosted) pop tarts before setting out to ride the courses. Both are out and back loops, with one leg into a steady headwind.
The TT is as good as it looks - no hills, fast surface. Should see some fast times. The RR course is about 10km from the hotel, the other side of Oranjestad. Relatively easy ride through town along Main Street and out past the airport. Peter rented a scooter (see right, leading the team. Not in the photo, the bright blue Kia mini team car).
The RR course is a 5km out and back route (for a 10km loop) on a dead straight stretch. There are two hills each direction for a total of 4 hills each lap, each about equivalent to the Port Royal rise.
After 2 hours on the bike, it was relaxing and keeping cool in the pool or the a/c. All the bikes were set uo this afternoon.
The welcoming ceremony started a little late after a change of venue to keep out of the intense sun (96F). Twelve countries are represented. The delegations were treated to an a cappella rendition of the Aruba national anthem (three verses) and were addressed by the Minister of Sport.
Then the fun with the technical meeting - there was much debate over the TT arrangements and especially on limitations of 2 riders per country per age group. Since dinner was being served in the meeting room, the meeting was curtailed after the TT (same time tomorrow for the road race). Dinner was chicken lasagne, Cesar salad and garlic bread.
We are still waiting for numbers and the official start list, but we estimate the following start times
Hayley (race reduced to 2 laps - 12km) 9:06
Marquise (18km) 9:08
Mark 9:20
Dominique around 9:30
TreShun around 9:48
Athletes are all in bed, lights out, race bags packed and gear carefully laid out. Tomorrow is game time and everyone is eager and ready to go!
Breakfast of Champions! The health-The TT is as good as it looks -
The RR course is a 5km out and back route (for a 10km loop) on a dead straight stretch. There are two hills each direction for a total of 4 hills each lap, each about equivalent to the Port Royal rise.
After 2 hours on the bike, it was relaxing and keeping cool in the pool or the a/c. All the bikes were set uo this afternoon.
The welcoming ceremony started a little late after a change of venue to keep out of the intense sun (96F). Twelve countries are represented. The delegations were treated to an a cappella rendition of the Aruba national anthem (three verses) and were addressed by the Minister of Sport. Then the fun with the technical meeting -
We are still waiting for numbers and the official start list, but we estimate the following start times
Hayley (race reduced to 2 laps -
Mark 9:20
Dominique around 9:30
TreShun around 9:48
Athletes are all in bed, lights out, race bags packed and gear carefully laid out. Tomorrow is game time and everyone is eager and ready to go!
Day 3 - tine trial
No problem with getting everyone up for breakfast at 7:00. The juniors rode to the start en masse with a police escort.
We got a prime spot under one of the few shade tents in he assembly area and set up the wind trainers for warm up.
They worked the set up like out TT Championships, riders called for roll out check, then into the line to be chipped and finally to the start ramp.
Everyone got some warm up time on the wind trainers and managed to control the nerves.
As usual, there was plenty of breeze, with a headwind on the return stretch from the first turnaround point. Hayley was first off and was able to pass her minute man on the first lap and finished strong to place 4th overall. Marquise was off two minutes later as the first juvenile starter. He completed his first lap exactly as Mark started, and so they were within 10yds of each other as they disappeared round the bend. On the upwind stretch Mark edged away and unfortunately Marquise was unable to keep in him in sight, which would have been the perfect position. Both riders commented on the impact of the gusty headwind that made progress very difficult.Mark finished 8th and Marquise 19th.
Meanwhile Dominique and TreShun were let loose on the course, Dominique managing to avoid falling in a wobbly start off the ramp. (Did I mention that Mark was almost taken out by an oblivious spectator crossing the course at the start of his second lap? We had already expressed concerns about having the start on the inside of the course, therefore requiring everyone to be within the loop from start to finish.) Both juniors gave it their all and finished strongly, Dom in 4th, Tre in 6th (and only a second out of 5th).
The full results are on www.bermudatiming.bm.
This afternoon after lunch the troops have been resting in the A/C, and cooling in the pool. We also took advantage of the guest washing machine to get the uniforms washed and fresh. Bikes have been reset for road race mode, tires checked again, pedals tightened.
The technical meeting was reconvened from yesterday to discuss the road race arrangements. The usual arguments ensued about the provision of mechanical support in following vehicles, and Peter won the bet in that the proceedings concluded in under 1 ½ hours (just). Now the juniors are packing their race bags and laying out kit for tomorrow ahead of a 7PM dinner. Peter is at the grocery store stocking up on race snacks for tomorrow.
It is going to be an early start tomorrow - breakfast between 5 and 6, the bus leaving for the race site at 6:30, bikes to be loaded on a truck. We will drive the team car to the race so we will have an air-conditioned space for Dom and Tre to sit in while they wait for their race (they will have a couple of hours to kill).
Mark, Marquise and Hayley will be off first at 8. Dom and Tre start at 10. The important thing for all of them will be to stay alert and keep with the front of the pack. There are some strong riders, but the course is not really conducive to breaks - even the strongest riders will have difficulty riding away from a group
But the boys are used to hanging in there in local racing - this should be no different.
It was disappointing not to medal today, and an indication that there are some strong individual riders in the Caribbean. But our guys should be able to be in it at the end.
We got a prime spot under one of the few shade tents in he assembly area and set up the wind trainers for warm up.They worked the set up like out TT Championships, riders called for roll out check, then into the line to be chipped and finally to the start ramp.
Everyone got some warm up time on the wind trainers and managed to control the nerves.
As usual, there was plenty of breeze, with a headwind on the return stretch from the first turnaround point. Hayley was first off and was able to pass her minute man on the first lap and finished strong to place 4th overall. Marquise was off two minutes later as the first juvenile starter. He completed his first lap exactly as Mark started, and so they were within 10yds of each other as they disappeared round the bend. On the upwind stretch Mark edged away and unfortunately Marquise was unable to keep in him in sight, which would have been the perfect position. Both riders commented on the impact of the gusty headwind that made progress very difficult.Mark finished 8th and Marquise 19th.
Meanwhile Dominique and TreShun were let loose on the course, Dominique managing to avoid falling in a wobbly start off the ramp. (Did I mention that Mark was almost taken out by an oblivious spectator crossing the course at the start of his second lap? We had already expressed concerns about having the start on the inside of the course, therefore requiring everyone to be within the loop from start to finish.) Both juniors gave it their all and finished strongly, Dom in 4th, Tre in 6th (and only a second out of 5th).
The full results are on www.bermudatiming.bm.
This afternoon after lunch the troops have been resting in the A/C, and cooling in the pool. We also took advantage of the guest washing machine to get the uniforms washed and fresh. Bikes have been reset for road race mode, tires checked again, pedals tightened.
The technical meeting was reconvened from yesterday to discuss the road race arrangements. The usual arguments ensued about the provision of mechanical support in following vehicles, and Peter won the bet in that the proceedings concluded in under 1 ½ hours (just). Now the juniors are packing their race bags and laying out kit for tomorrow ahead of a 7PM dinner. Peter is at the grocery store stocking up on race snacks for tomorrow.
It is going to be an early start tomorrow -
Mark, Marquise and Hayley will be off first at 8. Dom and Tre start at 10. The important thing for all of them will be to stay alert and keep with the front of the pack. There are some strong riders, but the course is not really conducive to breaks -
It was disappointing not to medal today, and an indication that there are some strong individual riders in the Caribbean. But our guys should be able to be in it at the end.
Day 4 - road race
Breakfast at 5:30, buses loaded by 6:30 and off to the race sitee for 7:00 AM. That was the plan but the non-arrival of the truck to transport bikes meant that nearly 70 athletes and bicycles had to cram into two buses. PRB would never have allowed it, and this was nothing like Lance’s Radio Shack bus!
Anyway, Camp Bermuda was established, complete with the air-conditioned annex for Dom and Tre who had about three hours to wait for their race.
It was a relatively cool day and amazingly very little breeze when the racing finally got underway at about 8:20. First off were Mark and Marquise in the 60km Juvenile Men’s race - 6 laps of a 10km course. 18 mins for the first lap and then the pace picked up. The start/finish was closer to one end of the out and back course, so we had a wait between sightings. At the end of lap 2, Mark was in a break of three with Bahamas and Curacao - 30 seconds ahead. The three riders worked well together throughout and stead ily increased the lead each lap over a chase group that seemed to be satisfied with sprinting for 4th after three laps.. Meanwhile, teammate Marquise was happy to sit in the group as they shed a few riders in the ever rising temperatures..
In the final sprint, Mark was edged by Bahamas but took Bermuda’s first ever medal in the men’s competition. Marquiise contested the final sprint with 10 riders in the chase pack and finished 12th overall.
The Junior ladies started at 8:05 with a field of 7 riders. After an easy first lap, the pace picked up a little. By the third of four laps, two girls had been dropped, but Hayley was hanging in. However, Curacoa’s rider (winner of the time trial) immediately forced the pace on the last lap, and after managing to stay in contact up the first hill, Hayley was eventually dropped, but continued and finished 5th.
All this time temperatures were steadily rising, and a little breeze picked up, so by 10:30, when Dominique and TreShun were called to the line, conditions were really quite unpleasant. Peter ‘volunteered’ as the mechanic in the first support vehicle, but was regretting it after less than a lap as the polished aluminium surfaces of the truck bed liner ensured an even roasting on all sides.
The Junior Men faced a 8 lap 80km race which started of with a couple of steady 18 minute laps. With Dom and Tre well placed in the pack. Things livened up at the end of the third lap when Dom went down at the roundabout close to the finish, bringing down 7 other riders. Tre avoided the crash. 7 riders got back up and started chasing back. Bahamian riders slowed the pace in the lead group to allow the others to reconnect on a show of good sportsmanship.
There were numerous attempts to breakaway made by various riders over the next several laps, but none were successful, although the lead group was systematically whittled down to 12 riders, including 2 from Bermuda). However, the grueling conditions were taking a toll and TreShun eventually ran out of steam on lap 7 before support could hand him up a Coke. So the last two laps came down to 8 riders, including Dom who was gutting it out with sore legs and arms from his fall. He looked comfortable, though and the eight contested the final sprint in an exciting finish, eventually taking 5th place. Tre showed true spirit in finishing. Cramping caused him to stop at the top of the last hill, about 3km from home, where he refused to give up his bike to the sweep vehicle, and rode across the finish line in 13th spot.
A tremendous performance from the team who have been fine representatives for Bermuda. We definitely missed Alex in the Junior race - a third Bermuda rider would definitely have changed the dynamics of the race, but the team was well pleased to deservedly take 3rd spot in the overall team prize.
The prize preparation followed immediately after the Junior race. Big winner over the weekend was Curacoa, and we could almost sing along with their national anthem. We were also treated to the short version of the Aruba national song. But it was delightful to see a Bermuda uniform on the podium again.
Back in the buses again. This time the truck was there, but hidden up the road and down a side street, so again, most athletes took the bikes on the bus again.
After a celebratory Baskin Robins ice cream each, the team was sent to pack bikes and bags ahead of the final dinner and the official announcement of the team event - Curacoa first, Puerto Rico second, Bermuda third. Surprisingly, power houses Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados did not have a good event.
So that’s it for another year. We have a tremendous foundation for next year with only Alex and Hayley no longer available for selection. Looking forward to 2011 already!
Anyway, Camp Bermuda was established, complete with the air-
It was a relatively cool day and amazingly very little breeze when the racing finally got underway at about 8:20. First off were Mark and Marquise in the 60km Juvenile Men’s race -
In the final sprint, Mark was edged by Bahamas but took Bermuda’s first ever medal in the men’s competition. Marquiise contested the final sprint with 10 riders in the chase pack and finished 12th overall.
The Junior ladies started at 8:05 with a field of 7 riders. After an easy first lap, the pace picked up a little. By the third of four laps, two girls had been dropped, but Hayley was hanging in. However, Curacoa’s rider (winner of the time trial) immediately forced the pace on the last lap, and after managing to stay in contact up the first hill, Hayley was eventually dropped, but continued and finished 5th.
All this time temperatures were steadily rising, and a little breeze picked up, so by 10:30, when Dominique and TreShun were called to the line, conditions were really quite unpleasant. Peter ‘volunteered’ as the mechanic in the first support vehicle, but was regretting it after less than a lap as the polished aluminium surfaces of the truck bed liner ensured an even roasting on all sides.
The Junior Men faced a 8 lap 80km race which started of with a couple of steady 18 minute laps. With Dom and Tre well placed in the pack. Things livened up at the end of the third lap when Dom went down at the roundabout close to the finish, bringing down 7 other riders. Tre avoided the crash. 7 riders got back up and started chasing back. Bahamian riders slowed the pace in the lead group to allow the others to reconnect on a show of good sportsmanship.
There were numerous attempts to breakaway made by various riders over the next several laps, but none were successful, although the lead group was systematically whittled down to 12 riders, including 2 from Bermuda). However, the grueling conditions were taking a toll and TreShun eventually ran out of steam on lap 7 before support could hand him up a Coke. So the last two laps came down to 8 riders, including Dom who was gutting it out with sore legs and arms from his fall. He looked comfortable, though and the eight contested the final sprint in an exciting finish, eventually taking 5th place. Tre showed true spirit in finishing. Cramping caused him to stop at the top of the last hill, about 3km from home, where he refused to give up his bike to the sweep vehicle, and rode across the finish line in 13th spot.
A tremendous performance from the team who have been fine representatives for Bermuda. We definitely missed Alex in the Junior race -
The prize preparation followed immediately after the Junior race. Big winner over the weekend was Curacoa, and we could almost sing along with their national anthem. We were also treated to the short version of the Aruba national song. But it was delightful to see a Bermuda uniform on the podium again.
Back in the buses again. This time the truck was there, but hidden up the road and down a side street, so again, most athletes took the bikes on the bus again.
After a celebratory Baskin Robins ice cream each, the team was sent to pack bikes and bags ahead of the final dinner and the official announcement of the team event -
So that’s it for another year. We have a tremendous foundation for next year with only Alex and Hayley no longer available for selection. Looking forward to 2011 already!
Mark Godfrey won silver for Bermuda in the Juvenile Men’s 60km road race.
.
The Bermuda team placed third in the team competition, improving on last year’s fourth place.
Full results available on www.bermudatiming.bm
.
The Bermuda team placed third in the team competition, improving on last year’s fourth place.
Full results available on www.bermudatiming.bm
