SCARBOROUGH, Tobago – Barbadian Darren Matthews finished second as Adderlyn Cruz of Team Foundation peddled to the UCI 1.2 Tour of Tobago 120km cycling race title Sunday.
Matthew, the 2012 champion from Team Cocos, had to settle for second in 3 hours 40.49 minutes. Cruz, of Dominican Republic, crossed the finish line at the Esplanade, in 3:39:03 to improve on his second place from 2014.
Canadian Aurelien Daniel of Knights FR was third in 3:40.53.
Matthews and his Team Foundation mates took an early lead but could not respond when Cruz made his move along the North West course heading into Charlotteville. Cruz extended his advantage and held on to the pole position all the way into Scarborough.
Cruz also won King of the Mountain and Top Caribbean titles. He was the best in the hills ahead of Cuba’s Vincente Sanabria-Martinez of The Braves and Matthews.
Local-boy Emile Abraham was the lone national to finish the race, ending in 17th place (4:01.41).
Cruz said he was happy with the victory and praised his team-mates.
“I thank Team Foundation for the support who did a good job in the beginning of the race which was good for me because to save my energy for the end of the race.”
He explained that the plan was to take charge from early in the race.
“The team’s plan was to control the race in the first 20km after that I was to make my move and attack the climbs.”
It is his second year as a professional rider.
Matthews was contented with second but was hoping a Team Cocos hat trick of titles after his victory in 2013 and Colombian Oscar Melon’s triumph last year.
Matthews may have a chance to exact revenge on Cruz at the Caribbean Championships to be held in Barbados on October 17 and 18. (PR/SAT)