After two consecutive years of foreigners walking away with the big winner’s purse, trophy and most of the station prizes, cycling fans are itching to see a Belizean rider bring back the Krem New Year’s Day Cycling Classic championship to the Jewel. On January 1, 2011, Costa Ricans Marco Salas and Juan Rojas cruised in together a full 18 minutes ahead of the first Belizean rider. We don’t want that again. Before that, in 2010, it was Guatemalan Carlos Hernandez taking top honors, followed by 4 more foreigners before the first Belizean rider arrived a minute and a half later. With the emergence of David Henderson, Jr. this year as a dominant force, fans are hoping that the Belizean field will be more resilient in meeting the challenge from the foreigners. Aside from Henderson, who recently won the Alpheus Williams Classic on December 11, other top ten finishers in that race who will carry our hopes on New Year’s Day include Kyne Gentle, Byron Pope, past two-time Krem Classic champion and record holder Marlon “Diesel” Castillo, Greg Lovell, Luigi Urbina, Allen Castillo, Darnell Barrow, Tariq Cano and Jose Choto. (Marlon’s record, set in 2009, is 3:29:55 for the 93-mile journey from the Corozal Free Zone to Central American Boulevard in Belize City.)
In the female category, Belize’s own Shalini Zabaneh is the reigning two-time champion and record holder, so there is not much worry there; unless some unknown female foreigner makes a surprise appearance. (She set the record of 2:49:23 for the 54-mile ride from Orange Walk to Belize City in 2011.) Shalini has been riding with the Masters for much of the year, and her few female competitors have complained that it makes it more difficult for them to pose a challenge. On Krem’s WUB this morning, C-Ray’s Kaya Cattouse said it would be more difficult for Shalini to break away from the group in an all-female race, which they would much prefer, rather than riding along with the Masters. Time is short, so we will have to wait and see what the Cycling Association and the race sponsors can do to keep up the ladies’ spirit for the race. Other top female finishers in the recent Alpheus Williams Classic on December 11 were Kirah Eiley, Kaya Cattouse, Patricia Chavarria and Maricela Garcia.
In the Masters, Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden promised to duplicate his Alpheus Williams Classic victory in the upcoming Krem Classic.