Cuban cyclist hits high five

CUBAN JOEL MARINO won five out of eight international races as the Trinidad leg of the Beacon Insurance West Indies versus The World Cycling Series ended at the Arima Velodrome on Sunday night.

The Cuban, who has been the star attraction this year, claimed the four-lap, the elimination, the 10-lap, the two-lap and the night’s feature race - the 35-lap. In the Republic Bank-sponsored 35-lap event, Marino surged to the lead after 10 laps and never relinquished his advantage, crossing the finish line in 21 minutes 54.72 seconds, ahead of Canadian Glen Randall and Belgian Nico Ruyloft. Victory in the 35-lap race was revenge for Marino, who had earlier finished second behind Randall in the International Win and Out six-lap, with Guyanese Tyrone Hamilton and Switzerland’s Michael Phillip trailing.

Marino captured the two-lap sprint ahead of Arnost Dremanek of the Czech Republic and Cuban teammates Julio Herreira and Michael Pedrosa; the 10-laps with Randall and Colombian Carlos Alzates trailing; the four-laps in two minutes 22.16 seconds followed by Pedrosa, Trinidadian Elisha Greene and Colombian Carlos Monroy; and the elimination race with Pedrosa, Greene and Randall on his heels. Greene, the 2002 TT “Cyclist of the Year”, was the lone national to win an international race on the night, claiming the “unknown race” with Marino occupying second spot and Hamilton third. And the match sprint title went to Herreira, who defeated Czech Pavel Buran in two intriguing rides 11:68 and 13:18, with Pedrosa whipping Scotland’s Robin Thompson 12:05, 12:40 for third place. The 2003 series will end at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, Kingstown, St Vincent this weekend.

Other Results
Category 1 4 laps: 1.Ray Phillip 2:27.84; 2.Roger Smart; 3.Ako Kellar; 4.Paul Chooenam (Guyana).
Category 4&5 3 laps: 1.Colin Wilson 1:53.58; 2.Roger Malco; 3.Richard McCarthy; 4.Barry Luces.
Veterans 40+ 4 laps: 1.Gregory D’Andrade 2:39.94; 2.Derek Davis (USA); 3.Richard Ramchand; 4.Kent Luces.
Juniors 3 laps: 1.Adam Alexander 1:54.25; 2.Marlon Williams (Guyana); 3.Haseem McLean; 4.J Emerson.
Category 4&5 5 laps: 1.Colin Wilson 3:12.12; 2.Barry Luces; 3.Simon Spicer; 4.Roger Malco.
Category 2&3 2 laps: 1.Rocky Hosein 3:50.97; 2.Gordon Kennedy (Guyana); 3.Joe Johnson.
Veterans 40 + 2 laps: 1.Kent Luces 1:12.42; 2.Wayne Samuel; 3.Martin Rooney.
Veterans 50+ 6 laps: 1.Godfrey Clyne 2:06.79; 2.Earl La Fond; 3.Ronald Peters; 4.Rupert Joseph.
Veterans 60+ 3 laps: 1.Joey Nunes 2:48.66; 2.Nathan Hasal; 3.Peter De Silva; 4.Lennox Parris.