Emile pedals away with third stage

DEFENDING champion Emile Abraham yesterday signalled that he will be hard to beat in winning the third stage of the Tobago International Cycling Classic. Abraham, riding for the US team Healthnet, is seeking a beaver-trick of victories on his home soil and showed yesterday that apart from his vaunted strength in the hills he can outsprint the best in this year’s five-stage event.

Yesterday Abraham outsprinted a pack of five cyclists to win a blanket finish in three hours 10 minutes 52.82 seconds. In second was Charles Coyle of USA Preferred with Scott Zuizanski of Oforto USA third. Both were credited with the same time as the winner. After three stages, Zuizanski is the race leader with an accumulated time of six hours 23 minutes, 14.33 seconds. In second, less than 30 seconds behind is Abraham with Coyle third in 6.24:39.82. Yesterday Abraham impressed with his challenge and is widely expected to take the leadership position today in the fourth stage, a five-lap circuit race totalling 105 kilometres.

“Emile is looking very good. He showed he is in top condition and very strong. He should be the leader after today’s race,” said Robert Camps, a former Trinidad and Tobago road race champion speaking from Tobago. In beautiful weather yesterday Camps and the bunch of five riders broke away from the pack and were never headed. American Eric Murphy, widely expected to give Abraham his biggest challenge cramped up nearing the end and finished down the line. Camps said today’s stage will pose a more difficult test from Abraham. “However he looks comfortable and I expect him to win,” Camps said.

THIRD STAGE RESULTS
DIVISIONS ONE: 1 Emile Abraham (Healthnet) 3.10:52.82; 2 Charles Coyle (USA Preferred) 3.10:52.82; 3 Scott Zuizanski (Ofoto USA) 3.10:52.82.
OVERALL: 1 Scott Zuizanski (Ofoto USA) 6.23:14.33; 2 Emile Abraham (Healthnet) 6.23:53.97; 3 Charles Coyle (USA Preferred) 6.24:39.82; 4 Teplier Louis (Guadeloupe) 6.26:16.12; 5 Christian Meymeier (Team Canada) 6.26:23.77; 7 Kunz Alberto (Il Diavolo) 6.26:41.07.