And while the fundraisers were on the road on Thursday and Friday, on Sunday the pro's took over for the 33rd riding of the Belmopan Cycling Classic - sponsored this year by SMART. It was the final major test before the biggest race on the calendar, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic.
With only 6 weeks before that race, the competition was stiff, but in yesterday's race, 2 riders stood out. Mexican, Ignacio Prado and Belizean Herman "Hijo" Requena dominated, running out in front for some 60 + miles, where the chase group were only able to catch them in the second half of the race.
At the last 10 miles both riders made a final attack, and found themselves alone, once again in the lead, and from there, they battled for first place. 7News was at the finish line, and we spoke to the second place winner, about being defeated by Prado who is younger and has less experience than him and all the other Belizean riders:
Of importance is that yesterday's race was one of - if not - the biggest performance for Requena who came in 2nd. He is riding on Team Smart along with his teammate, Darnell Barrow, who will be defending his championship in the Cross Country Classic.
First place winner, 20 year-old Ignacio Prado was brought in for this race by Team Benny's Megabytes. Oscar Quiroz of Western Spirit team placed third.
In the female category, Shalini Zabaneh crossed the line first, defeating Kaya Cattouse, the second place, and Patricia Chavarria, who placed third.
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