“The Future Is Bright For Bermuda Cycling”
[Written by Anthony Bartley]
Jamie Cousins of V. T. Construction Cycling clearly believes in the old adage of “third time’s a charm”. After having narrowly missed out on making podium on two separate occasions this season, Cousins dropped the hammer on the field to claim his first victory in A Category at the 2018 Western Classic Road Race.
In what started out as a soggy Sunday Morning, riders came out to race on the 11 mile western loop, with the start/finish at Middle Road, near T.N Tatem Middle School. Riders were also informed by organizers that as an added bonus there would be a separate points series during the race, with the first three riders across the finish line on each lap being awarded points.
The combined A/B class field started off fast, with V. T Construction’s Deshi Smith and Winner’s Edge’s Adam Kirk setting the pace early. Team Tokio’s Fabian Schonenberg, testing his legs, upped the tempo on Middle Road near Bostock Hill, splintering the main field and dislodging several riders in the process. Winner’s Edge’s fifteen year old phenom Zander Miller, a rising star in the sport, sensed the danger and reacted to the move. As the race settled, Darren ‘Shakee’ Glasford of Winner’s Edge showed that he is still king of the sprint, taking all of the top intermediate lap sprint points.
On the final lap, Cousins, followed closely by Kirk, launched a stinging attack and broke away from the field on South Road, near Warwick Long Bay. The two were able to stay clear of the field, and on the final straight Cousins outkicked Kirk to claim victory. Glasford claimed the bunch sprint for third, with Miller [B Class Winner] along with fellow top junior cyclist Ziani Burgesson of V. T Construction, finishing amongst the main field. Team Tokio’s Kian Wookey secured second place in B Class, with teammate Jonah Jones rounding out the B Class podium.
The combined C/Women field proved to be more of a tactical affair, as the field stayed together for most of the race. The sprint series was clearly a hit with the athletes and spectators, as onlookers were treated to exciting bunch sprints on each of the intermediate laps. Showing no signs of slowing down, Winner’s Edge’s Ricky Smith sniped the max points on each occasion. V T Construction’s Cora-Lee Starzomski, who was dishing out sprinting lessons to the fella’s, was not to be outdone and claimed some well-earned points for herself.
On the final lap Smith surged ahead of the field on the home stretch to claim victory, adding to his already impressive tally this season. In only his first season of competition, independent rider Rhys Pearce continued to show progress and promise for the future, taking second at the line. Another of Bermuda’s up and coming junior stars, Nazari Fox of Bermuda Cycling Academy, added to his impressive President’s Cup performance from the week earlier to claim third. Starzomski and teammate Rose-Anna Hoey, finished strong amongst the field to claim 1st/2nd in Women’s Category.
Ride of the day went to Junior A rider Niko Davis of Bermuda Cycling Academy. Being the only Junior A rider to register for the day, Niko elected to throw his hat in the ring with the “big boys” and lined up in the C/Women field. Proving that he definitely belonged, Nico animated the race throughout to claim his well-deserved victory.
The young stars are rising and the future is bright for Bermuda cycling!
