The Masters A group with Mark Maidwell leading and Otis Cotton in third position. (Ajanty Romney photo)
PHILIPSBURG—Otis Cotton upset the established order in Masters A when he won the category during the 50K road race on Sunday. He stealthily laid in wait before triggering an explosive sprint for the finish line to beat rivals Mark Maidwell, Patricio “Blade” Carty, and Otis Paines who had joined Masters now that he turned 40.
Cotton’s move was worthy of a Mark Cavendish sprint and a highlight of the SXM Move two-day stage bike race organised by the St. Maarten Cycling Federation and sponsored by Tri-Sport.
“We chose the name SXM Move to encourage people to keep exercising and staying healthy after the last few months of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions” said SXMCF secretary Susy Piscione.
A 15K time trial was held on Saturday morning before the 50K road race on Sunday. Prizes were awarded for both races with the best accumulated times for both races being eligible for the grand prize of return trip air tickets to the Tobago Classic a five-day stage race in October.
Winner of the time trial was Reni Arrondell (ASM) in 23:57, Blade Carty was second (25:49) and third to Mark Maidwell (25:57). Some 20 riders took part in the time trial and 32 in the 50K road race.
“The Time Trial was tough because it went straight up Cole Bay Hill and then was flat and fast along the airport road,” reported Piscione. “The short, challenging course was chosen to offer everyone a challenge whether they are climbers or sprinters.
“You can see that only eight seconds separated Mark and Blade so they had to work hard in the race the next day to win the overall,” she added. “Same for Dean and third place Kenny Carty. Reni was the fastest Time Trialist of the day and looked set to win the overall but ended up missing the start on Sunday as he overslept. So, it was a toss-up for the Elite with Dean chasing down Kenny who ended up winning by 14 seconds.
The women’s category was won by Nicole Erato, Annee Blaum second and Susy Piscione third. Wilmer Azcarute won Masters B and also took home the overall win for that category. Jahkim Carty won the 14 –16 category in the road race and took the overall as well. Casey Martin who took the wrong turn in the Time Trial the day before won the road race with ease, way ahead of the other riders. Kenny Carty was second and Dean Hodge third.
Winners of the tickets are: Women - Nicole Erato, Elite – Kenny Carty, Master A – Patricio (Blade) Carty, Master B – Wilmer Azcarute, Youth – Jahkim Carty (son of Blade). Organisers thanked the motorcycle clubs on the island, Tribal Hogs, Riders on 2, and Caribbean Eagles, who came out and helped control traffic in place of the police who were short staffed this weekend.
