With almost perfect weather for cycling almost 40 riders set off for the first race in the Cayman Classic series. It was anticipated that the shortening of the neutral zone would make the race faster and aggressive proved right. Though the riders were marking each other very closely and no one were allowed to go off in a break away without soon to be chased down by the peloton, the race speed averaged at more than 24 mph (39 km/h) and top speeds of more than 38 mph (58 km/h).

After several tries by different riders it finally succeeded for Michael Stomps to create a gap big enough to get away on a one man break away which he held on to and won the first race in the series with a margin of 30 seconds to the sprint finish of the peloton.

The placements in the race as well as the two intermediate sprints gives us the following top 3s after race 1:

 

Open Men (red jersey)

1. Michael Stomps, 25 points

2. Mitchell Smith, 18 points

3. Steve Abbott, 15 points

 

Open Ladies (purple jersey)

1. Risa Golberg, 25 points

2. Carien Roberst-Harcombe, 18 points

3. Rebecca Vandiver, 15 points

 

Masters (blue jersey)

1. Gabe Rabess, 25 points

2. Laurent Weber, 18 points

3. Jacob Luttermann, 15 points

 

Sprint

1. Jerome Ameline, 10 points

2. Gary Clarke, 6 points

3. Brian Chin Yee, 1 point

3. Jacob Luttermann, 1 point

 

Amongst the riders who didn’t finish was 1 junior, as well as we had a bad sounding crash taking down Pam Abbott and Ray Welds both we good health and only some scrapes and bruises to show.

More detailed results will follow when the video recordings have been analysed.

 

Congratulations to the leaders who now have the honour of wearing the leaders jersey for the next race.

It will be a very interesting 5 km time trial on Sunday 6 May for race 2 in the series, which may result in changes in the general standings?!

Photos from the race can be viewed here

and check out Cayman 27′s report of the race here

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