Costa wins Caribbean Road Cycling Championship

Guy Costa continued his impressive form this season when he pedalled his way to an impressive victory in the Caribbean Road Race Championship in St Vincent yesterday.

The 39-year-old Heatwave cyclist rode away with the overall honours to avenge a defeat by Chris Hedges of Bermuda, the day before in the criterium event. The courageous Trinidad and Tobago rider overcame a puncture to stake his claim among the best roadmen in the region with a strong finish outclassing second placed Hedges and Robert Marsh of Antigua who was third. Also flying the TT colours in St Vincent was David Als whoperformed creditably finishing fourth in Saturday’s criterium but was hampered in the road grind after also suffering a puncture. Yesterday, Ed Watson, public relations officer of the Cycling Federation said he was elated with the performances of Costa and Als. Costa ensured that the Caribbean Road Championship remained in TT hands following Stephen Mangroo’s victory last year in Curacao. He said he attempted to get the Guyana-born Mangroo to ride in St Vincent and defend his crown but the naturalised TT citizen opted instead to compete in a stage event in the Mudland.

The Caribbean Road Race Championship was staged in St Vincent to mark the country’s 25th anniversary of independence. The event is rotated around the Caribbean and attracts some of the leading pedal pushers in the region. On Sunday, Hedges stamped his class on the field with a big victory in the criterium clocking 40 minutes 22 seconds for the gold medal. In second was Costa in 41.32, an improvement of four minutes over last year when he was beaten by the Bermudan. Third was Antiguan Marsh in 43.25 with Als fourth in 43.50. Watson said yesterday TT riders will be in action again this weekend when top roadman Emile Abraham defends his Caribbean title in the Amstel Beer Championship in Curacao. Also in the strong TT road team will be Mangroo, Costa and Als. Abraham has been competing with some success in Atlanta, USA and will join his teammates in the Dutch island principality for Sunday’s event.