American pedals away with Newsday stage

ERIC MURPHY of the United States used his speed to take the individual time trial yesterday  and, with it, the overall lead in the Tobago Cycling Classic.

But yesterday’s proceedings were cut short when organisers were forced to abandon the third stage, which was sponsored by Beacon Insurance, due to heavy traffic conditions in downtown Scarborough. After seven out of 20 laps were completed in the 140-kilometre race, which revolved around the Scarborough and Milford districts, the stage was declared null and void as the congestion along Milford and Wilson Roads posed a danger for the pedallists. The time trial, sponsored by Newsday, went without a hitch yesterday morning with Murphy finishing the course, which began at John Dial Hill, continuing on the Claude Noel Highway, Shirvan Road, Buccoo and ending at Mt Irvine, in 22 minutes 1.99 seconds. Murphy’s compatriot Hugh Morgan, who is also wearing the colours of Team Toshiba, followed in 22 minutes 19.02 seconds, ahead of team-mates Jason Sager 22 minutes 22.68 seconds, Emile Abraham — vying for his third straight title — 22 minutes 30.89 seconds and Willem Verhaert of Belgium 22 minutes 40.63 seconds.

Murphy hold a slim lead in the overall standings — three hours 32 minutes 58.88 seconds to Morgan’s three hours 33 minutes 15.91 seconds, with Joe Giuliano of Canadian team Midweek Cycle Club third in 3:33.20.28. Austrian Harald Berger is a minute behind (3:34.20.02) while overnight leader Frank Travieso of Toshiba fifth, 20 seconds adrift. Abraham have a lot of ground to catch up, as he will begin today’s fourth stage in ninth spot with an overall clocking of 3 hours 35 minutes 51.50 seconds, with countryman Stephan Mangroo 11th (3:37.30.19) and Guy Costa 18th (3:40.11.63). Today’s stage, sponsored by Vita Malt, will call for endurance over the hills with seven laps from Crown Point to Bacolet and back, covering 150 kilometres. Starting time is 8 am.

Results: Time Trial — 1. Eric Murphy 22 mins 1.99 sec; 2.  Hugh Morgan 22 mins 19.02 sec; 3. Jason Sager 22 mins 22.68 sec; 4. Emile Abraham 22 mins 30.89 sec; 5. Willem Verhaert 22 mins 40.63 sec; Overall — 1. Murphy 3 hrs 32 mins 58.88 sec; 2. Morgan 3 hrs 33 mins 15.91 sec; 3. Joe Giuliano 3 hrs 33 mins 20.28 sec; 4. Harald Berger 3 hrs 34 mins 20.02 sec; 5. Frank Travieso 3 hrs 34 min 23.2 sec.