Forrest takes $100,000 Elevation Cycling Club feature race

Forrest, the reigning national champion and top elite rider for the host club, powered to victory along the final stretch to claim the largest prize money in the history of local cycling at club level.

Obrian Madourie finished second, while junior rider Peter Robinson rode brilliantly to surprise himself and the field to claim third despite experiencing severe cramps approaching the finish line.

Andrew Ramsay, tipped as one of the favourites to take the huge bounty up for grabs, had to settle for fourth, while Donrick Fearon was fifth to secure a piece of the $290,000 purse.

Barenton Bailey, who was among the pre-race favourites, had mechanical issues on the first lap heading up the grade towards 19-mile and had to abandoned the race eventually with approximately three loops to go.

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It was a fantastic day for Forrest who also won the Elite Category 1 event contested in two laps earlier in the morning, ahead of Brandon Baker and Ramsay.

Speaking to reporters after the presentation ceremony, Forrest said it was mission accomplished.

“It was a hundred thousand [dollars] so that was a good motivation and as I said I just stay low in the head win and use my gear and coming to the end I just find the right wheel to be on,” he said.

“I know if I’m in the [pact] and it didn’t break apart where they didn’t leave me… I was confident I would beat them because they all know that I’m a faster rider than them which means I can out-sprint them. I was getting muscle contract but I just made up my mind to go when the time is right.”

With over 30 riders facing the starter all eyes were focused on Forrest, Bailey and Ramsay. But when Bailey had his chain fall off , leaving him well at the back at the completion of the first lap, the winner would surely come from either of the two top riders.

Halfway through this grueling eight-loop battle that lasted just over 120 minutes, the group of Forrest, Ramsay and Madourie made a strategic breakaway from the main group with Robinson and Fearon making the jump as well.

But in the end it was Forrest who prevailed, using his superior strength and stamina to power to the line over the last 200 metres.

“Yeah, I’m really surprise. I feel good in myself. When I find myself in the break I was like I didn’t know I could do it. I just tried and I made it,” said Robinson. “From the second-to-last lap that was when I was feeling the cramps and I push myself to the limit and it carried me far. Third place, I’m glad for it. If it wasn’t for the cramps I probably win that race.”

Robinson, 17, also registered a podium finish in the Junior Division, finishing second behind national junior champion and clubmate Jaequan Dixon, who said afterwards “I was quite pleased but I wasn’t at my best. But there is room for improvement”.

Dixon ended down in the pack in the main event but noted it was pre-planned to ensure that their best riders are given the best chance of victory.

“It was a team strategy,” Dixon explained. “We planned that some of the teammates were going to go into a break and some were going to stay and block.”

Overall it was a dominant display from the Elevation Cycling Club riders, as they were on the podium in majority of the races.

Barenton Bailey of ECC took the Masters title, beating Carlisle Russell and Shawn Jeffery over 11.62 miles.

Ashek Wright won the Super Masters carryover from December 17 last year, ahead of Marrington Hall and Donald Hall. Wright also secured the other Super Masters race scheduled for the day, this time ahead of Jeffery and Alton Duhaney.

Issa Hibbert took the Elite Category 3 race over Jason King and Dane Graham, while Damion Needham took the Elite Category 4 ahead of Joshua Morgan and Kirkland Blake.

Coach of the ECC, Orwyn Richmond who is also a member of the planning committee, says “90 percent” of the event was executed flawlessly.

He added: “Having seen them executed what we would have been training for I’m very proud of my guys at Elevation Cycling Club. They were able to podium in just about every event except the Category 4 race. We got quite a few upsets. Some riders did shine today and the one little hiccup today was a little bit of traffic that passed through during one of the laps.”

The club’s next race meet is in April.