On the very first lap, Santino ?the Chief? Castillo, wearing the Yellow Jersey for the 4th and final day, uncharacteristically attacked on one of the turns, and the only man that went with him was Costa Rica?s National Masters Champ, Jorge Monges, who had come in 2nd to Santino for the three previous stages.
This duo stayed out front with Monges attacking Santino on every lap, and subsequently having to do all the pacing as a consequence of his attacks. With 3 laps to go, the Salvadoran in 3rd place, Nelson Carillo, and Nicaraguan Alfonso Rodriguez caught this duo, and everyone settled in for the sprint. On the final turn, the Nicaraguan made a go for it with the Chief closely on his wheels. When he blew up, and before anyone could respond, Santino raised, and went for broke winning his 4th stage in as many days by his biggest margin of 5 bicycle lengths, and securing his 4th and final Yellow Jersey, ending a spectacular run in the Tour de Nicaragua Masters Category Oro for men aged 46 to 50. Monges got his fourth2nd place.
FOOTNOTE: I dedicate this race, and thank the entire Belizean Cycling Peloton with whom I train with daily.As the oldest cyclist competing in Belize, it is they who are responsible for the level I have attained. I didn?t realize this till now when for the first time in my life, I have competed against men my age. It has been to my advantage to race with younger guys. Thanks.
White Category -for riders aged 30-37
Being on the sidelines for the first time in this tour, I was able to coach JawMeighan and Mateo, as well as the M&M team, who followed instructions to perfection. On the 2nd lap, JawMeighan attacked and got away solo for 13 laps. He was caught with 5 laps to go in this 20-lap, 48 Kilometer (30 mile) event, which averaged 23 miles per hour. At that point, Gustavo Carillo, 14 seconds behind JawMeighan, attacked. As he was caught by JawMeighan, Mateo counter-attacked, coming in SOLO for the victory, and winning his second stage, while securing his YELLOW Jersey. The chase group made up of some 9 riders gave it their all for the sprint, but were no match for JawMeighan, who took 2nd place by some3 bicycle lengths. Belizean Roque Matus of M&M Engineering, thanks to Leroy ?Lyrics? Trapp and JawMeighan, finally made the podium, taking the 3rd position and bronze medal in this event.
FOOTNOTE: Thanks to Team Santino?s and their captain, Dougie Lamb, who rode a spectacular Alpheus Williams Classic without their two sprinters, JawMeighan and Mateo, and still managed to secure first place in the person of none other than 18 year old sensation Marlon Castillo.We look forward to an exciting KREM New Year?s Day Classic.