MARIGOT—Sunday saw the great rivalry between the two main cycling clubs of the French side, Association Sportif de Marigot (ASM), and Velo Club de Sandy Ground (VCSG) resume with a face-off in “La Ronde de Marigot,” a criterium race organised by the Territorial Cycling Committee of St. Martin.
These two clubs are bursting with young, up and coming talent while the usual suspects in the masters/veterans and women categories continue to prove they are no slouches when it comes to racing. Riders from ASCESM, Cyclone, SXM Sport Evasion, and Tri Sport Tigers also took part.
The highlight of the day was the Juniors and Seniors race (20 laps) which also ended up including veterans and elites altogether. Wilson Sanon, riding for his Guadeloupe-based club Excelsior, blew the whole field away with his solo breakaway, coming in alone to the finish metres ahead to win the Junior category.
In the finishing order Wilson coasted in 2 minutes 30 seconds ahead of Martin Cassey (ASM) and Steve Catalan (SXM Sport Evasion). Wilson’s fastest lap was timed at 2 minutes 57 seconds.
Second in the Junior category went to Rolandio Lake (ASCESM), third to Yusuf Destouches (ASM), and fourth to Seven Romney (Cyclone).
In the Veteran’s category Steve Catalan was first, Mark Maidwell (SXM Sport Evasion) was second, Travis McGarry (SXM Sport Evasion) third, and Patricio “Blade” Carty (VCSG) fourth.
Earlier, VCSG dominated the podium in the Cadet category, taking the first three places. Edgar Brooks Mercedes was first. Jahkim Carty second, and Jahlem Kennedy Hodge third. Ariana Baguidy was first in the Cadettes category.
The women also rode in the Cadets category (15 laps). Tri Sport Tiger’s Susy Piscione thought she had the win wrapped up, raising her arms in triumph but was told they still had one more lap to go. The sprint to the line saw ASM’s Raymonde Gumbs Emboule (ASM) clinch the win by half a wheel length. Susy was second, Severine Juminer (ASM) third, and Annee Blaum (Tri Sport Tigers) fourth.
The Espoir category was won by Martin Cassey (ASM), Noel Kianny (ASM) was second, Reni Arrondell (ASM) third.
