Costa is criterium cycle champion

He won this title after defeating a field which included defending champion Govian Gomez in a 24-lap grind at King George V Park, St Clair, on Sunday.

The multiple kilometre time trial winner stayed with the field for most of the race before pulling away at the bell-lap to claim the victory.

Costa was followed into second by his Rafmon Mecalfab colleague Joshua Alexander while versatile sportsman Garvyn Nero was third.

Nero, a top middle distant runner and triathlete kept with the main bunch throughout to third in the end.

Gomez, who went into the race as the overwhelming favourite to retain the title finished a distant eighth.

Trinidad and Tobago cycle ace Gene “Geronimo” Samuel accidentally ran off the road as he approached the finish line, causing officials and fans to scamper to safety.

He escaped unharmed but failed to be among the top five riders to complete the race.

Meanwhile, Christopher Gittens of Southclaine was the top junior.

He got the better of Jummone Roberts of Parkside and third placed Christian Fairley.

There was also a huge surprise in the veterans 50-plus category as the favoured Mark Antonio failed to make it among the top four.

Team Trek’s Desmond Roberts who sprinted to gold ahead of Mark Massiah of Hummingbird and the eventual third Kelvin Caesar of Southclaine.

Among the veterans 40-plus, Cecil Hackett won next and with Madonna Wheeler’s Roger Smart Ancil Roberts of Rigtech Sonics in third.

Results: SENIORS - 1. Guy Costa (Rafmon); 2. Joshua Alexander (Rafmon); 3. Garvyn Nero (Tream Trek).

JUNIORS - 1. Christopher Gittens (Southclaine); 2. Jummone Roberts (Parkside); 3. Christian Fairley (Parkside).

VETERANS 40-PLUS - 1. Cecil Hackette (Bike Smith); 2. Roger Smart (Madonna Wheelers); 3. Ancil Roberts (Sonics).

VETERANS 50-PLUS - 1. Desmond Roberts (Team Trek); 2. Mark Massiah (Hummingbird); 3. Kelvin Caesar (Southclaine).

VETERANS 60-PLUS - 1. Peter Hernandez (Team Trek); 2. Ronald Peters (Madonna); 3. Godfrey Clyne (Southclaine).

TINYMITES - 1. Kristoff Frontin (Sonics); 2. Saye Daniel (Arima Wheelers); 3. Hayden Redhead (Madonna).

JUVENILES -1. Kazim Charles-Walcott (Madonna); 2. Justin Roberts (Parkside); 3. Akile Campbell (Sonics).

SENIOR WOMEN - 1. Aziza Browne (A/Wheelers); 2.Cheyenne Awai (A/Wheelers); 3. Sarah Daly (Southclaine).

JUNIOR WOMEN - 1. Keinna Lester (A/Wheelers); 2. Dominique Lovell (A/Wheelers).