September 28/08 3:54 am - Tobago International Cycling Classic: Stages 1-4

Posted by Editoress on 09/28/08
 

Tobago International Cycling Classic
reports courtesy Chris Atkins

A composite team of riders from Ontario, BC, and Quebec headed to the 5 stage 600km Tobago International Cycling Classic from September 25-28th. The team is generously sponsored for a second year by mazurcoaching.com.

This year, teams from Germany, USA, Greece, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Trinidad will be battling for top honours riding under severely hot and humid temperatures over challenging terrain.

Mazurcoaching.com riders:

Trevor Connor
Jonathon Gormick
Matthew O'Hagan
Hugh Trenchard
Vincent Veilleux-Lessard
Chris Atkins (support / island guide / medic)

In the results you will notice other Canadian riders Alex Bhogal, Chris Reid, and Jean-Michel Lachance riding for local favorite Emile Abraham who races with Team Type 1 in the US.

The stages start out relatively 'tame' until the final epic stage 5 course, which includes category 1/2/3 climbs at Castara, Bloody Bay, L'anse Fourmi, Charlotteville, and the showcase climb at Speyside.

Stage 1 - Circuit Race 110km (10 laps - minor rolling inclines)
Stage 2 - 11km Time Trial
Stage 3 - Circuit Race 120km (6 laps - one 3km category 3 climb per lap)
Stage 4 - Circuit Race 110km (12 laps - minor rolling inclines)
Stage 5 - Tour of Tobago 120km (mountainous terrain - category 1/2/3 climbs - Palatuvier 10km ascent & notorious Speyside)

Stage 2

Just a quick update, Mazurcoaching.com had a great showing today on the stage 2 time trial. I was driving the team car behind Trevor Connor, our GC hope, who was aiming to come back from a tumble in yesterday's stage which took him out of a top finishing spot. I was laying on the horn for anything that moved...dogs...chickens...goats...dump trucks. Trevor had it pegged and claimed the top spot only seconds ahead of Heath Blackgrove riding for Gremli in Tobago (rides for Toyota United in the US). It was amazing to witness.

Jonathon Gormick also had a strong ride, placing in the top 10 today.

The heat is building up right now. Stage 3 (circuit race) starts later this afternoon. The stage is taking the riders through a steep climb that, from what I hear, goes 15-20% for 2km. It's going to blow apart today, and the GC is really going to shake up.

I'll try to get updates when I can. The internet is pretty sketchy here.

Note: Chris has not been able to provide regular updates, but full results from each stage are posted below