CHARLESTOWN, Nevis-THE second race of the 2010 bike race season was held on Saturday 9th Jan, the 48km 3 lap course had the cyclists starting on Cattle Long Path and turning around by the Prison Farm turnoff.
With a longer course, a 15 knot headwind and three hills, it was going to be a different challenge to the first race.
The group of seven leaders started to fragment in the middle of the 2nd lap, as the pace, coupled with the hilly course, took its toll on some of the riders. The definitive move was made by James Weekes as he pulled away heading up to the prison farm.
Reigning national champion Reggie Douglas and 14-year-old Assim Chapman responded and teamed up to chase down the new leader, which caused the major split.
With a strong move led by Reggie, he and Assim caught James heading up to the Anglican Church and then Reggie made his move going up the hill into Brick Kiln, dropping his two challengers and heading off on his own.
After the turnaround, it was a downhill time trial for the main three racer, to see who had the most left in the tank and once again Reggie had what it takes, holding off the hard charging James by 40 seconds to take the win in 1:20:59.
Assim finished once again in 3rd, but is getting closer to the big guns each week. At the other end of the age spectrum, 75 years young Gordon ‘Doc’ Avery finished the Masters 2 laps unchallenged in a very respectable time of 1:19:49.
