JAMOL EASTMOND, his talents and the streak are all heading east.
The man who has yet to lose a cycling race of any kind in 2012 is set to put his unbeaten run on the line as the major story line heading into today’s two-hour criterium on the Six Roads circuit.
Just two events into a debut senior season, Eastmond has already made the most of his recent promotion after capturing the season-opening circuit race last week and following that up by riding unbeaten at Wednesday’s track league.
And the teen talent could very well extend that streak, with the somewhat undulating course favouring his climbing skills.
But long-time rival Russell Elcock, the evergreen Greg Downie and one-time junior king Mario Forde are all proficient uphill cyclists and will present more than a challenge to Eastmond’s run.
Former national champ, and dominant road race king, Simon Clarke should also pose a threat if he is allowed to hang around in the peloton until the final lap, even though his skill set is more suited for flatter courses.
Clarke will also have the added motivation of rebounding from a third-place finish last week on the Top Rock circuit, and the drive to re-establish himself as Barbados’ top road racer after missing out the second half of the 2011 season.
Tri-athlete Jason Wilson should provide the senior category with some added competition while one-time promising talent Ross Callender is expected to make his first appearance on the road this season.
In the ladies category, dominant veteran Esther Miller-Rosemond and Marissa Bradshaw will duke it out as the lone entrants in the division as Deidre Mayers prepares for this week’s track trials.
Like Clarke, Stuart Maloney will be looking to bounce back from a less-than-flattering performance against last week’s masters’ winner Andrew Quimby, Gregory Catwell and Marvin Worrell.
One week after downing Kristin Vanderpool, Jesse Kelly is set to go head-to-head with his junior adversary again while Liam Lovell and Edwin Sutherland renew their rivalry in the juvenile category.
