The 11th annual Jason Bally Memorial Road Race took place on Sunday.
Robert Marsh of Antigua was the winner of the 62-mile race in a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes and 23 seconds.
Close behind him was the Virgin Island’s Orano Andrews who rode almost side by side with Mr. Marsh throughout the race, but would have to settle for second place after a sprint finish.
Mr. Andrews was the first VI rider to finish and was crowned the BVI Cycling Federation National Road Race Champion for 2011.
Mr. Andrews is now a two-time champion, who also won the BVICF National Time Trial Championship.
Another VI rider, Darel Christopher Jr., took third place with a time of 3 hours, 5 minutes and 8 seconds also in a sprint finish ahead of Antigua’s Neil Lloyd.
Mr. Lloyd was the first Masters rider to cross the finish line. St. Thomas’ Morgan Locke was fifth, while Bryon Lyn of Antigua was sixth.
Sally Blackmore, also a two-time champion, who won the National Female Time Trial Championship and now the National Female Road Race Champion, was the only female competitor. She finished in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 18 seconds in the 49.6-mile race.
Justin Solomon dominated the Under-15 Division, with a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes and 26 seconds to win his division — a 24.8-mile race.
Deandre Smith clocked 1 hour, 37 minutes and 25 seconds for second place, while Caleb Leonard took third.
Shaquil Samuel put on a strong performance by winning his three-lap category in the Under-19 Junior Division, but also continued riding to finish the full expert five-lap course in a time of 3 hours, 32 minutes and 49 seconds. Barney Nockolds took second.
In the Fun Novice Division, John Shirley completed his two laps in 1 hour, 36 minutes and 14 seconds ahead of Sean Leonard, who had a time of 1 hour, 41 minutes and 51 seconds.
The course was staged on the western side of Tortola starting near Slaney Hill. Riders travelled west on the main road and turned at the Towers Junction. Riders proceeded over Manuel Reef Hill, and returned on the main road and continued around the Prospect Reef Roundabout for one lap of 12.4 miles.
Prior to the race, a candlelight memorial service was held in Sea Cows Bay on Saturday evening at the site where Jason Bally was gunned down 12 years ago.
“This is the first in many years that the Federation has been able to attract police escort for its races, which is proving to be a progressive move as the BVI Cycling Federation seeks to work with the various bodies to ensure the sport is safely carried out,” according to a BVICF statement.