A Guatemalan cyclist, Lisandro Ajcu, riding in the Elite/Open race for Team Santino’s, was first to cross the finish line in yesterday’s 16th Annual Digicell Valentine Classic, which travelled from San Ignacio to the Benque border and then all the way back to Mile 1 ½ on the Western Highway in front of Leslie’s Imports on the outskirts of Belize City. Lisandro completed the ride in 3:28:36. Darnell Barrow, also of Santino’s, took 2nd place in 3:29:33, ahead of 3rd place Jose Choto (Western Spirit) in a similar time. Our reports are that Costa Ricans Marco Salas and Juan Rojas, who won the KREM New Year’s Classic, did participate in the race, but didn’t have their way this time.
There were no surprises in the Female category, as Shalini Zabaneh of Sagitun swept all station prizes and came in all alone to take 1st place in 2:54:11; 2nd was Gina Lovell (unattached) in 2:59:30; and 3rd Alicia Thompson (Belize Bank).
Two veteran former champions, Ernest “Jawmeighan” Meighan (Santino’s) and Michael “Big Wire” Lewis (unattached), vied for top honors in the Masters 4/5 category, and it was Jawmeighan grabbing 1st place, with Big Wire taking 2nd, both clocking 2:49:00 at the finish. 3rd was Mexican David Balam of Depredadores in 2:49:20.
The Junior race was also a close finish, with the top three finishers recording the same time of 2:45:30. Taking 1st place was Kyle Gentle (Cayo High Road), followed by 2nd place Austin Armstrong (Twin Towns), and 3rd Aiden Juan (Cayo High Road).
For the Youths, Aiden Juan was credited with 1st place; 2nd was Marcus Lewis (C-Ray), and 3rd Giovanni Lovell (Indeco).
Along with trophies and cash prizes, each category winner received a Digicell package.
The next major event on the cycling calendar is the Belmopan Classic which travels from Belize City to Belmopan and back on March 6. In the meantime, the regular Saturday Race series resumes this coming Saturday.