Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2570/-1/127/
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JOHN T MEMORIAL RACE REVIEWED Safety An Overriding Issue
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Just one week following the holding of the John T Memorial Cycling Race, two of the top organising committee members and two senior officials of the platinum sponsor, Cable and Wireless, met to review the event.
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Top L-R: David Peterkin, CM Fleming, Sutcliffe Hodge and Alkins Rogers
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The meeting, held on Monday, July 11, involved the President of the Anguilla Amatuer Cycling Association, Evan Gumbs and the Secretary, Pat Hodge, and Chief Executive of Cable and Wireless, Sutcliffe Hodge, accompanied by Corporate Communications Manager, Avon Carty.
A general concern expressed was safety during the race. The view was that it was an overriding issue which must not be compromised as one bad accident could overshadow the event for the foreseeable future.
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Pat Hodge and Evan Gumbs of Cycling Association
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Mr. Hodge, who witnessed the race, commented during the review: “For a number of years I have been watching this race and I think it is going from strength to strength. The caliber of participants impresses me and I think, with a little more organisation and a clear emphasis on the safety and security of the riders and spectators, the race has great potential for the future and I am excited about it.” One of his concerns was that the race should be organised in such a way that cars and other such vehicles should not be allowed to drive along the route in between the cycle race, so as to mimimise accidents.
Mr. Hodge went on: “The fact that we have a pretty good road infrastructure…with a superior surface than before, must have been a welcome treat for the cyclists. As we put in better infrastructure around the island and pay attention to crowd control and the whole issue of security and safety, I think that this race has great potential.
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Above: Race in progress with cyclists riding in pacts seconds after take off (Photo courtesy Larry Stott)
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“It was a very colourful race. The fact that there were riders of similar ability they were able to ride in pacts. There was a first tier of strong riders; a second tier and then there were a few stragglers but, for the most part, the cyclists rode in pacts for the entire race and this was commendable. That made it very competitive as opposed to having a clear leader identified in the first lap…As a matter of fact the leader of the first lap did not place well in the end and that too making the event competitive.”
One of the other matters he observed was the extreme heat and humidity of the day at 10 o’clock, and suggested an earlier time like 8 o’clock, though taking into account the need to wait for the St. Maarten cyclists to arrive in Anguilla.
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Above: Race in progress with cyclists riding in pacts seconds after take off
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Evan Gumbs pointed out, however, that many people thought 10 o’clock was too early for the race. He stated that while some islands held the event at that time, other islands like Antigua preferred 1o’clock. “That’s something we can look into,” Mr. Gumbs said.
Avon Carty concluded that whatever is done on the regional or international scene in terms of timing for cycling races should be done in Anguilla as the island aspires to develop the sporting event.
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Winner of the John T Memorial 2005, Dwayne Gibbs of Guyana (Photo courtesy Larry Stott)
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The cycle race, held on Sunday, July 3rd, was the biggest ever in Anguilla. It attracted 62 cyclists and a very large crowd. The three-lap event covered over 70 miles.
The event was preceded by a brief opening ceremony during which Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming congratulated the organisers and thanked the cyclists for participating. He was joined by the OECS Sports Coordinator, David Peterkin, who remarked that Anguilla had become the racing capital of the region, based on the continuing participation of cyclists from many islands.
The results of the race were as follows:
1st Dwayne Gibbs of Guyana - 3.43:25:776; 2nd Andrew Reese also of Guyana - 3:43:26:060; 3rd Michael Phillip of St. Maarten; 4th Dominique Donnat of Guadeloupe -3:43:27:902; 5th Samuel Hodge of St. Maarten – 3:43:28:049; 6th Charles Bryan of Anguilla - 3:43:28:576; 7th Danny Laud also of Anguilla 3:43:344:379; 8th Gordon Kennedy of Guyana – 3:43:34:372; 9th Didier Lake of St. Martin – 3:43:34:376; 10th Ronnie Bryan of Anguilla – 3:43:34:737; 11th Marlon Williams of Guyana; 12th Kris Pradel of Anguilla; 13th Ken Jackson of Antigua; 14th Vinish Narine of Guyana; 15th Claude Richardson of Anguilla; 16th Jena Claude Benjamin of St. Martin; 17th Maron Morrison of Guyana; 18th Lyn Murray of Antigua; 19th Godrey Pollydore of Antigua; and 20th Randy “Bobby” Simon also of Antigua. The 62 cyclists included a 14-year-old boy of Tortola who completed two laps but was unable to finish the third; and the eldest rider was McKinley Hodge (over 70 years) of Anguilla who made a good effort.
The Anguilla Amateur Cycling Association has thanked Cable and Wireless for its important role this year. Other sponsors were the Anguilla Government, National Bank of Anguilla, Social Security, J W Proctors, Cap Juluca, Anguilla Masonary, Anguilla Block and Sand, Anguilla Fencing; Carimar Beach Club, City Liquor Store, English Rose Restaurant, Warren Bryan Heavy Equipment, Ken Vanterpool and Ivor & Carmen Rentals. The Association has also offered its thanks to the Royal Anguilla Police Force for a job well done and the large number of spectators for their support.
The Cycling Association says it is now focusing on the Melbourne 2006 XVIII Commonwealth Games. It is hoping to send four cyclists from Anguilla to participate and is looking for sponsorships to fund their participation.