The M & M Engineering Tour of Belize 2008 for categories 3, 4 and 5 cyclists climaxed on Sunday, July 20, in Belize City, completing five consecutive days of racing to determine an overall points champion of the 5 day/Stage event.
The Tour began on Wednesday, July 16, with Stage 1, which was taken by Juan Gonzalez of Santino’s in 1:38:45. John Newport of Benny’s Megabytes was 2nd in 1:38:46, followed by Sherman Thomas of Western Spirit in 3rd place at 1:40:43.
On Thursday, July 17, Stage 2 went to Glen O’Brian of Santino’s, who edged out Orson Butler of Benny’s Megabytes to the tape in 1:45:17. Michael “Big Wire” Lewis outsprinted a pack of 23 other riders to grab 3rd place in 1:46:19.
Stage 3, the Individual Time Trial, on Friday, July 18, saw Ray Cattouse making his presence felt, dominating his opponents in this event and leading all cyclists with a time of 21:22. Second was John Newport of Benny’s Megabytes in 21:58, with Glen O’Brian of Santino’s settling for 3rd in 22:14.
The Stage 4 race from Belize City to Sibun, Armenia on Saturday, July 19, ended in a four-man sprint to the tape, which was won by Glen O’Brian of Santino’s in 3:26:43, followed by Ray Cattouse of C-Ray in 2nd place, Sherman Thomas of Western Spirit in 3rd, and John Newport of Benny’s Megabytes in 4th.
Stage 5 of the Tour was the longest journey, from La Loma Luz in Cayo to Belize City, and it was time for former Cross Country champion Michael “Big Wire” Lewis of Santino’s to “show eself”, crossing the line in 3:16:45, followed by 2nd place Ray Cattouse of C-Ray in 3:16:46, and Orson Butler of Benny’s Megabytes in 3rd at 3:14:47.
Final Classification
The overall points champion of the 5-day event was John Newport of Benny’s Megabytes, followed by Glen O’Brian of Santino’s in 2nd, and Ray Cattouse of C-Ray in 3rd. In 4th place was Juan Gonzalez of Santino’s; 5th – Sherman Thomas, Western Spirit; 6th – Michael Lewis, Santino’s; 7th – Ernest Thurton, Acros Guinness; 8th – Orson Butler, Benny’s Megabytes; 9th – George Abraham, Benny’s Megabytes; 10th -Kenny Gladden, unattached; 11th – Stephen Bisset, M&M Engineering; 12th – Windell Williams, Sugar City Boys; 13th – Sherwin Latchman, M&M Engineering; 14th – Kenneth Butler, unattached; 15th – Ronald Sutherland, M&M Engineering; 16th – Amir Gonzalez, unattached; 17th – George Lovell, Sr., Santino’s.