Vélo Club de l’Ouest riders dominate Regatta race |04 October 2016

Christopher Gerry won the 99.1km Regatta cycling race on Saturday afternoon and he crossed the finish line together with Vélo Club de l’Ouest teammate Ahmad Arissol.

The two cyclists were credited with the same time of 2 hours 59 minutes 27 seconds (2h59:27) – more than 3 minutes slower than Jean-Yves Souyave’s record of 2h55:48 seconds set in 2014.

Crossing the line first on a sprint finish ahead of three other riders, Stephan Belle also of Vélo Club de l’Ouest came out third in 3h07:18 seconds. The other three cyclists who were credited with the same time are Darius Oreddy (Vélo Club de Mahé), Fadi Confiance (Angels’ Vélo Club) and Xerxes Larue (Adams Cycling Club).

Souyave rode for Life Cycle Club when he set the record in 2014 and now rides for his new club Adams Cycling Club but did not compete in this year’s race.

Vélo Cub de l’Ouest came out as best team with a total time of 9h06:12 followed by Adams Cycling club in second position with 9h31:58. Sixteen cyclists started the race and three did not finish.

Saturday’s race started at 2.30pm at the Regatta site, Beau Vallon, and the cyclists pedaled towards Bel Ombre before making a U-turn at Dan Zil and to make their way to Victoria via Glacis. From Victoria they took the Bois de Rose road and pedaled along the east coast road to Anse Boileau via Anse Royale, Takamaka and Baie Lazare before returning to Victoria via Montagne Posée, Au Cap and Providence Highway. From Victoria the cyclists returned to the finish line at the Regatta site at Beau Vallon via Glacis.

The cyclists received their prizes on the same night at the Regatta event by the Round Table organisers.

Other cyclists who completed the race were Jim Brutus of Vélo Club de l’Ouest (3h08:09), Ricky Rosalie of Adams Cycling Club (3h09:46), Edrick Roucou of Angels’ Vélo Club (3h09:46), Lario Harrison of Adams Cycling Club (3h14:54), Richard Esparon of Vélo Club de l’Ouest (3h25:10), Mario Ernesta of Vélo Club de l’Ouest (3h25:10) and Mervin Esparon of Adam’s Cycling Club (3h31:41).

P. J.