June 9, 2010 -- Jyme Bridges easily won the OECS Cycling title with his teammate, Robert Marsh crossing the line 2nd
as Antigua/Barbuda dominated the race from beginning to end. Bridges
and Marsh dismantled a group of the elite riders of the OECS after 20
miles into the 65 mile course, on an extremely hilly course that was
disputed to favor the home team with the race ending on the highest
mountain point in Grenada, Grand Etang, and some 1910 feet above sea
level. But this never deterred the 4 men team of Antigua and Barbuda.
Omari King was the first to serge at the front, then to be caught by 2
of his teammates along with other great OECS climbers. But the pace of
Bridges and Marsh reduced the lead group to 4 riders with includes St.
Lucia and Grenada.
But the pace of Bridges was too much
for the race as he rode off the front to lead the race from the 35 mile
mark. In less than no time bridges opened a 2 minutes lead on Grenada’s
best and Robert Marsh to head to Tivoli and back to finish on the
island’s peak, Grande Tang Mountain. Jyme Bridges completed the
grueling
65 mile course in a time of 3 hours and 22 seconds to collect
Gold and the title of 2010 OECS Champion. He also crowned as “King of
the Mountain” collecting a trophy as the 1st person to climb
to the top of Grand Etang. The winner didn’t wait too long to see his
teammate, Robert Marsh reach to the summit behind him. Marsh also rode
home by himself to collect silver as he completed the course in a time
of 3:27.10 over 3 minutes ahead of the race favorite Sydney Walters of
Grenada who clocked in at 3:31.21. Orano Andrews of St. Vincent was 4th
in a time of 3:37.14 with the reigning OECS Champion, USA based, Sydney
Charles of St. Lucia placing 5th in a time of 3:40.25.
Countries
represented at the Digicel 2010 OECS Cycling Championships are Antigua
and Barbuda, Anguilla, Tortola, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent
and host country Grenada. Bridges and Marsh will have their chance to
defend their title in their home country and Antigua will be the host
of 2011 OECS Cycling Championships. Special thanks to LIAT Airlines for
assisting the OECS cycling teams by waiving their oversize luggage
charges.
