Abraham repeats in Tobago Classic

EMILE ABRAHAM came back from the dead yesterday to stamp his undoubted class and capture the gruelling five-stage Tobago International Cycling Classic in spectacular fashion. The reigning national road race champion missed the early break in yesterday’s 120km Tour of Tobago and was left by the leading pack by more than four minutes.

However not to be outdone, Abraham befuddled his opponents with another masterful ride catching the bunch at the top of the first major climb on Palatuvier Hill. And in his fearless style Abraham screamed down the hill closing the gap to a little over one minute near the Dwight Yorke Stadium at Bacolet. The defending champion then made his move less than two miles from the finish and in a blind sprint sped past the finish line in three hours 31 minutes 27.59 seconds.

In second place yesterday was Harold Berger of Austria’s Scot/Latiella team who clocked 3.31.37.90. Trinidad and Tobago’s Guy Costa, who rode an outstanding final two stages, was rewarded with a well-deserved third spot yesterday riding for Heatwave. His time was 3.31.49:87. Eric Murphy, thought to be Abraham’s top contender for overall honours, had another good day yesterday fighting to stave off the challenge of the Austrian for his Toshiba team mate and came in fourth in 3.32.08.63. Overall Abraham won in 10.02.38:40 with Murphy second in 10.03.19:92 and Berger third in 10.07.31.51.Hugh Moran, also of the US-based Toshiba team was fourth overall in 10.10.32:42; Jason Sager was fifth in 10.12.40:55 with TT’s Costa sixth in 10.15.14.68.

Yesterday Robert Camps, a former national road race champion and Race Director of the Tobago International Classic described the event as the most competitive and exciting yet. “This race came down to the last stage and five miles from the finish it was anybody’s race. You can’t get it any better than that,” said Camps yesterday. He said Abraham proved his class by riding against the odds and showed he’s the best sprinter in yesterday’s international field in the ride to the tape. “It was another masterful ride, timed to perfection. He deserves to win,” said Camps yesterday.