Abraham dethroned in Tobago Cycling Classic

John Leiswyn, of US Team Healthnet, yesterday dethroned three-time winner Emile Abraham as king of the annual Trinbago Wheelers Cycle Club organised Tobago International Cycling Classic. The American made an almost clean sweep of the major prizes on the way to emerging overall winner the popular cycling event in an overall time of 12 hours, 54 minutes, and 40 seconds. Leiswyn, who won Friday’s Fourth Stage of the race, repeated the feat yesterday when he won the fifth and final stage.

He also copped the “King of the Mountain” and “print King” special prizes, as well as the award as top rider in the Over-35 years category. In second position in a time of 12 hours, 54 minutes, and 45 seconds was Scott Zwizanski, of Team Ofoto/USA. Abraham, Leiswyn’s fellow Healthnet team member, who won Friday’s Third Stage, had to settle for third position overall in a time of 12 hours, 55 minutes, and 25 seconds. Fourth was Jon Parkington of USA Preferred, followed in fifth by Olivet Ragoo of Martinique. Christian Meier, of Team Canada was sixth and also copped the special award as top rider in the 23 years and Under category.

Team Guadeloupe emerged top team. Meanwhile, Eric Murphy, of Team USA Preferred, was in stable condition yesterday at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he was warded after colliding head-on with a car during Saturday’s Fourth Stage five-lap circuit race. Murphy contacted Jeff Charles, president of Trinbago Wheelers, just prior to the presentation ceremony at Johnston Apartments, Crown Point, just after 4 pm yesterday. Murphy said he was “feeling well.” “Everything is alright, everything is well and better than expected,” Charles told his audience.