SCB...Getting Stronger!!!

In the weekly Belize Cycling Association/Rhino Saturday morning Open Race, for the first time since the New Years Day race, almost the entire team raced together, except for Roge and Gian. Mat, and Quinton showed their form is coming along well by catching and driving the early break, while Berty continued to show is consistency and development by once again making the day's defining breakaway with Quinton in this 50 mile trek on through the usual Boom circuit. The final break included the last race winner Greg Lovell of Santino's and teammate Darnell Barrow, as well as Byro Pope of Benny's.

At the line for the sprint, once again it was the speedster Greg, followed by Barrow, Pope, Quinton then Berty, with Mateo out sprinting the guys in the second group for 6th place.

This proved to be a good team building race for teh squad as the guys were able to try a few different race tactics and maintained a presence in all of the breaks during. As the season unfolds, look for the team to start doing even better as we start racing even more together and learn more about eachother's abilities.

In the over 30 Master's Race which travelled the same route, the lone SCB rider was Damian Gough (team manager), unfortunately missed the winning break and finished the race in the main bunch, only managing 14th in the bunch sprint.

Velasquez Suffers a Nasty Crash...but OK!

The Sugar City Boyz (SCB) Cycling Team received a bit of bad news last night when it was conveyed to us that Nery "El Negro" Velasquez, a member of the Guatemalan Team Cafe Quetzal, who rode for SCB in the KREM New Year's Day Classic, was involved in a nasty accident on Saturday and as a result is still in the hospital in Guatemala.

Nery was out training, doing a 20 km time trail when he collided into a truck on the side of the road. He sustained serious injuries and was rendered unconscious for some time and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital. In speaking with a coach of the Cafe Quetzal team as well as team member, Luis Santizo (who also rode with SCB on New Years) we were told that Nery badly broke his right arm and should be released from the hospital this coming weekend. Thank God it was not worse and he will be able to recover from his injuries in due time.

This comes at an unfortunate time for Nery and his teammates, as the Guatemalan cycling season "La Temporada" was schedule to kick off soon. Sugar City would like to wish Nery all the best in his recovery and will be passing out updates on his condition in the coming weeks...saludos a nuestro companero Nery "El Negro" de todos sus amigos de Sugar City!!! Sabes que estamos contigo!!!

Back to Racing...Feels Good!

So Saturday, January 10th, was my 1st day of racing in like almost 6 months since doing the 1st two stages of teh M&M Masters Tour in July 2008. I had to take a couple months off after a kidney stone problem that kinda sidelined me and well, almost being team manager I've had a pretty full plate trying to get ready for the new season - negotiating with riders, getting equipment, acquiring sponsors, designing kits, planning racing and training, publicity/social awareness causes, it's been hectic.

Berty and I took the trip into the City with a friend (Kenny G), he rode the weekly Saturday BCA Elite race (50 miles) and I rode the usual Master (Over 30) Cat 4/5 race (40 miles) sponsored by Red Bull, with a small field of about 20 or so.

In his race Berty managed to make the defining break of the day with five of the country's top racers including Greg Lovell - Santino's, Brandon Cattouse - C Ray, Byron Pope - Benny's, and managed to hang on for 5th place in the sprint. Considering he's not a sprinter this was a good showing, the kid's coming into form and eager to right the disappointment of the New Year's Day KREM Classic, where he initiated the race's defining break but was unable to match pace with the eventual winner Marlon Castillo (Santino's).

In the master's race, I managed a respectable 10th place, but had a very confidence building day in that I was in several of the early breaks looking to get away, and opted to spend the rest of the race controlling counter-attacks and blocking for Kenny who'd been in the race defining break and who also managed to get the win! The day's efforts irding to protect Kenny paid off big time with a cold Red Bull at the end (from his prizes). Felt AWESOME to be racing again...more next week.

Offical Race Results:
http://www.belizecycling.com/results/6-saturday-race-open-category-january-10-2009.html

http://www.belizecycling.com/results/7-santinos-saturday-race-january-10-2009.html

Introducing....The Official Sugar City Boyz Cycling Blog!!!!

For sometime now I have wanted to get information about the doings and accomplishments of the Sugar City Boyz Cycling Team, and well...this is the start. I have toyed with the idea of a full-fledged website as well, and even started the discussion with a local site designer, for now though this will have to suffice. So, thank you for stopping by, please feel free to come back regularly to read, browse, view, comment or question.

Damian