THE KING OF THE ROAD has returned determined to rule for another year.
Simon Clarke made his intentions known for 2011 after capturing the first road race of the new Barbados Cycling Union season on the Foursquare circuit.
Riding for Team Aspire, the reigning national road race champ won in a big sprint to the finish, beating teammate Jamol Eastmond into second. Ross Callender of G4S was third.
Callender and Eastmond were actually a part of the first break of the day, joining the likes of Mario Forde and Russell Elcock to make an early push just a couple laps into the 7.5 km race.
But the peloton quickly hauled them back in before Eastmond and Elcock were back at it again, trying to separate themselves from the main pack.
They were soon caught again and Clarke duly finished them off when everyone made the mad dash for the line.
Elcock eventually settled for winning the junior category, placing ahead of G4S’ Brandon Wilkie.
Elcock’s Accessory Ms Online Fugen clubmate Kristen Vanderpool held top honours in the juvenile division.
Seasoned veteran Esther Rosemond-Miller celebrated a long-awaited return to the circuit by capturing the women’s race under the Fugen flag.
Champion Caribbean rally driver Stuart Maloney picked up from where he left off in last year’s impressive rookie season by winning his masters’ category, while Stephen Moore finished first in the over-50s.
There were also wins for Ajani Miller (Fugen) and Wilson Belgrave in the tiny mites and novice divisions, respectively. (JM)
