MARIGOT—Velo Club de Grand Case (VCG) rider Dean Hodge stamped his authority on the 3rd Annual ASM Cycling Grand Prix on Sunday to win the overall classification after starting out strongly by winning the time trial Saturday afternoon to snatch the leader’s yellow jersey, and thereafter kept a tight grip on the three-stage race.
Going into Sunday’s 55K stage of three circuits from Marigot to Cul-de-Sac roundabout after two loops in Marigot, Hodge made a dramatic escape from the pack on the second circuit, maintaining a sizeable lead all the way to win at the finish on Rue de Hollande in 1: 41:26 with no one able to reel him back in. ASM’s Bannis Ridge was second (1:42:15) and Mo Trouble’s Mark Maidwell was third (1:42:18)
Despite placing 11th in the 74K afternoon race in the town Hodge had enough time in hand to win the overall in 3 hours 38:58. He also won the Best Climber’s prize with 50 points ahead of ASM’s Bannis Ridge (22 points) and Double Trouble’s Joseph Hercules (15 points).
“I’ve won other races but this is the biggest one for me to win a stage race overall,” a jubilant Hodge said afterwards.
Mo Trouble’s Mark Maidwell finished second in the overall classification (3:39:50) and from the outset was always in contention in the first group, never losing the back wheel of the leaders. Fortune came his way when ASM’s Bannis Ridge fell on a corner in Sunday’s afternoon race which improved his standing.
Third in the overall went to Double Trouble’s Joseph Hercules (3:39:55), Double Trouble’s Jamari Bryan was fourth overall (3: 40:50) and top Junior rider, with ASM Bannis Ridge finishing fifth overall (3:43: 35) and top Under 23 rider.
The afternoon’s 74 K race (30 short loops in the center) was perfectly staged for maximum spectator enjoyment as riders swept along Rue de Hollande at full speed on their way around the circuit. It was won by Double Trouble’s Ricardo Romney, Team JCO’s Marlon Davis was second, Double Trouble’s Bryan Jamari third, Double Trouble’s Joseph Hercules fourth and Double Trouble’s Hasani Hennis was fifth.
The Best Team prize went to Double Trouble from Anguilla with VCG second and Mo Trouble third.
Sunday’s morning race started with controversy after the jury decided Double Trouble’s Hasani Hennis had unwittingly drafted behind a scooter at the end of the time trial and deducted five seconds from his time. The decision almost caused the Anguilla team to quit the race but fortunately they accepted jury’s decision and stayed.
Winners of the children’s races in the afternoon were as follows: Pre-License (Ashton Benitez); Poussins (Kai Ruan); Fille (Trinity Romney); Pupilles (Jahkim Carty); Benjamins (Justin Riley); Fille (Froissart Triana); Minimes (Kai Ruan); Femme Pass Cycliste (Caroline Delaplanque).
