Sick Mangroo perks up Rituals Tour

The Guyana-born naturalised Trinidad and Tobago citizen just edged out favourite Guy Costa by 25th of a second at the end of the three-stage race in front Rituals Coffee Shop in Starlite Plaza, Diego Martin.

At the end Mangroo posted an overall time of three hours 49 minutes and 36.58 seconds in what turned out to be a photo-finish appreciated by delighted fans at the end. Costa riding for Rafmon Mecalfab, battled on to finish a close second in three hours, 49 minutes and 36.83 seconds.

Team Trek’s David Alves was third in a time of three hours, 50 minutes and 11.60 seconds.

Costa, who went into the final stage with a lead of 11.94 seconds on the second place Mangroo on Sunday, eventually finished the final stage in third position behind veteran cycling star Gene "Goronimo" Samuels.

Costa had opened up a huge gap on his challengers from the first stage on Saturday (by some 94 seconds) and only added to his lead with the accumulation of time bonuses in a gruelling second stage event.

Mangroo, in the final stage was awarded some 10 seconds by virtue of winning the event, and in addition received another five seconds for the margin of victory.

In the end Costa only received just four seconds for his third place finish in the third and final stage, which took the riders to Arima from their start at the Rituals branch in Glencoe, and then back to the Starlite Plaza.

Mangroo told Newsday that although he was not feeling well going into the race, his plan was to reduce the time between himself and Costa early, before they return to Diego Martin but that did not happen. He added however that it was when they got to the final five laps in Diego Martin, that he got the better of a fit Costa, and that only happened on the final lap.

Mangroo saidt he was never really concerned about Costa since he has had similar experiences in the sport and therefore knew how to handle it.

After his win Mangroo had literally accumulated 15 seconds and posted a third-stage time of two hours, 29 minutes and 41.79 seconds, while Costa had dropped some much needed time by virtue of finishing third and ended with 2:29.47.98 seconds. Samuel was second with a third-stage time of 2:29.46.29 seconds. David Alves — who also had a good performance in the second stage was accredited with an overall third position while the ever fighting Shannon Metivier claimed the fourth spot, riding for Madonna Wheelers. Phillip Clarke placed fifth. Samuel eventually ended the race in sixth position, well ahead of the third-stage winner Christopher Gill who finished in seventh ahead of Sheldon Ramjit. Mark Codrington was ninth and Southclaine’s Darrel Perreira finished tenth overall.

Mangroo said he will next tackle a race in Anguilla on the invitation of some friends, after which he will travel to either Venezuela or Belgium where he will train for a month, and then return home for the national trials.

Samuel topped the Masters Category for riders 40 years and over to the delight of his fans. The veteran cyclist had battled tooth and nail and was congratulated for his achievement. Richard Ramchan finished second in the event, followed by Gregory Dandrade. Codrington also bounced back in the Juniors category to finish ahead of the pack overall.

He was followed by Perreira and the aggressive Gustavo Jacobs for second and third positions respectively.

The Veterans 50 years and Over event was won by Peter Hernandez. Earl La Fond secured the runners-up spot while Godfrey Cline was third.

Afterwards Daniel Coumb who won Category Four and Five was named the "Most Improved Cyclist" and the effervescent Colin Wilson of Team Trek was voted the "most Aggressive Cyclist."