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02nd March 2010
Competitive Cycling Back in City Circuit
Anthony De Beauville

It was exactly what the doctor ordered for St.Lucia’s 31st Independence celebrations Competitive cycling returned to the City Circuit though not along the original route of yesteryear. There was a whole lot to cheer about as hundreds lined the Jeremie street sidewalk as if it was a carnival celebration to take in the action they had not seen in almost 15 years.
This time around it was under the banner of J.Q. Charles Limited one of the island’s leading commercial houses. The event, dubbed ‘J.Q Charles Independence Cycling Classic’ was for the first time in collaboration with the St.Lucia Cycling Association under the presidency of Cyril Mangal.
The 2009 cyclist of the year, the unstoppable Kurt Maraj was certainly a class act on the afternoon as he went on to stamp his authority, and in the process won three of the four events, Kurt wearing # 44 won the Open Race for seniors in a time of 27 minutes 45:80 secs ahead of his twin brother Kirk # 43 and Winston Williams # 40. The three riders were given the same time as it was a close finish that one thought would have required a photo finish. Fourth place went to the ever improving Robert Jules # 66 in a time of 29:02 secs, in 5th place was the experienced # 75 Eustace Dookie in a time of 29: 42:90 secs and #77 Sammy Joseph finished 6th in 29:44:51 secs.
Making a come back on the track after almost two decades in the wilderness was Rawlins ‘Ice Cream’ Antoine. Antoine started the event but pulled up after a couple of laps. At the end he promised to be back in the thick of things in the months to come. Before the open senior category wheeled off Antoine spoke to this reporter and said, that he was back mainly to encourage the younger riders to participate in championships organized by the SLCA. He further went on to say that he also hoped some of the more senior riders would make a comeback, so the St.Lucia public will have something to cheer about on the City Circuit.
In the Junior Open category # 67 Jordan Richards continued his good run on form He was ahead of the pack in another competitive event, and crossed the finish line in a time of 9 minutes 03:60 secs, while # 39 Russel Ferdinand and # 76 Damian Mathurin had to settle for second and third place 9 minutes 11:40 secs and 10 minutes 22:00 secs respectively.

 
 

The excitement continued to build as the shadows started to lengthen . It was the most talked about event on the afternoon. The Devil Elimination race, with the last man to cross the finish withdrawing, and for the first time cycling fans in St.Lucia was into it, as all eyes were glued to the distance from Racii Wholesale to the front of the Castries Market. It was again Kurt Maraj ahead of his brother Kirt Eustace Dookie, Winston Williams, and Jordan Richards in that order (with 44 points).
With no rain in sight and the sun still at its very best in the west, Kurt claimed his third consecutive win on the afternoon. This time in the points race, after Sammy Joseph at one stage seemed all set for a major upset in the city. Kurt had other ideas and stayed within striking distance ensuring that he gained points when it really mattered,and with one lap to go it was all Kurt, Kirk, Dookie, Williams, Joseph in that order. Henry Mangal as the master of ceremonies on the afternoon added that much needed flavour to the showpiece. “Please clear the street,” he said, “here they come. Its Kurt, Kirt, Williams and Joseph in that order.” What an event that was!

The treasured piece of the afternoon was the Cadet Race for the under – 13 young and aspiring riders on the island, -certainly an indication that cycling in St.Lucia is in safe hands. # 89 Sebastien Ribot showed that he would be a force to be reckoned with in years to come as he outclassed his opposition,to emerge as champion. # 69 Olivia Descartes, Sesenne Descartes’ great grand daughter also showed some class as she powered her way into second place ahead of seven other male riders. Third in was # 68 Manasseh Wilson, fourth # 79 Akim Polius, fifth # 76 Sebastien’s brother Raphael Ribot, while # 78 Dylan Elliot, # 84 Benjamin Butcher, and # 47 Jordan Serieux followed in that order.
Interestingly before the dust was settled and to bring a climax to what appeared to be a tremendous success on a humid afternoon there was one event left and that was the battle of the Maraj brothers, dubbed a ‘family affair’ in the match sprint. This time around the tables were turned as Kurt was defeated by Kirt for the first time in another highly competitive event that stirred up a great deal of interest among members of the public in the preliminary round.
So one can safely say for the first time in years on St.Lucia Independence Sporting calendar they never regretted turning out in their numbers to lend their support. One simply hopes that events like these will remain for many years to come. Ride on!

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