Emile unstoppable in 80km dash

EMILE ABRAHAM continued his solo act in local road cycling yesterday with another impressive ride to capture the first annual Mecalfab/Classic Caterers sponsored 80km race organised by Phillips Promotions.

The Angostura Trinbago Wheelers ace grabbed the $400 first prize with a sizzling burst of speed at the finish on the Foreshore, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain leaving second placed Guy Costa of Heatwave in hot pursuit. In third spot was David Als of Warriors followed to the line by Shane Ferreira and his Heatwave teammate Ako Kellar in fourth and fifth respectively. Gustavo Jacob of Southclaine emerged the winner of the Junior Category getting the better of Dariel Perreira of Mercury Rising who placed second and the fast improving Haseem McLean of Southlaine.

Champion veteran yesterday was Richard Ramchan of Warriors who held off Ronald Peters (Toyota Madonna), second ahead of his clubmate Gregory D’Andrade. The event which started on the Foreshore and took the pack up to Waller field and back was contested in rainy weather which tested the abilities of the competitors on the slick asphalt. All eyes were on Abraham, recent winner of the gruelling Tobago International Classic stage race in mid September; and the Newsday Republic Day Challenge circuit event last Wednesday around King George V Park in Port-of Spain. However it was former national champion Clinton Grant and Darren Reid, an Australian riding for Heatwave who stole the early thunder dominating their rivals for close to 45 kilometres before being caught by Abraham, Costa, Als and company on the way back at D’Abadie.

Making an early impression was former national track champion Michael Phillips who captured the first prime as he withstood a strong challenge from Ferreira and Andrew Bally of Heatwave. Then Grant showed he is still a force to be reckoned with as he outsprinted the bunch to three primes, worth $200 each. Aussie Reid, whose wife works at the German Embassy in Port-of-Spain, also helped himself to a prime prize. At Morvant Flyover, heading into Port-of-Spain Abraham made his move flashing past his challengers to a prime award, on his way to another well-deserved victory.