The winner and runner-up of this year’s Cross Country Classic are Chris Fredericks and Steve Mlujeak respectively. These two riders are both Americans, albeit riding for the Santino’s Jamis/Grupo Taca Team which, when you think about it, is itself only one third Belizean sponsored. The sole consolation here of course, is that finishing directly behind these two guys, was one Miguel Angel Perez de Guatemala and all hail the star spangled banner. Although relations between our two countries have cooled considerably over the past decade or so, most Belizeans cringe at the thought of a Guatemalan breaking through the finish tape first. One would imagine then, that if only for that reason, we would do more to ensure that our athletes are ready, willing and able to defend our honor and home turf.

Maybe it is time for a national team, if only just for this one big race. This could pool the talents of all our top cyclists and provide us with proper representation. We could import, if only for the first year or so, an international coach and trainer who could provide our riders with the integral science and the basic concept of teamwork which is so direly missing from their game plans. What we could probably also do, is to have a couple of other Cross Country races, with the other ones exclusively for local riders.

And speaking of local riders, how about Matthew Smiling grabbing every mic he could find following the official release of the race results, and wasting no time in berating those he said had criticized his brother last year. Smiling, as most will remember, resisted a run to the tape last year, allowing American teammate Ben Bernard to win uncontested, sending thousands of Belizeans home disappointed. Said Matthew Smiling about this race, all should be ashamed for Andrew is the only one who defended the flag today. Did I mention that Andrew Smiling came in seventh, behind not one but two Guatemalans? And forgive my naivete but is that really what we call defending the flag? If that is the case then, I believe we had all better learn some Spanish. Nevertheless, respect is due to Andrew Smiling, who as one of the oldest riders on the circuit, still managed an honorable job of representing himself. But hopefully one day, we will move away form this insidious mindset, that it doesn’t matter how many of them beat me, as long as none of unuh nuh do it.

Still, I believe it is high time for us Belizeans to look at this race in a different light. This annual Cross Country Classic is now, not only the biggest racing event in Belize but indeed, in our entire region and instead of looking at it from a patriotic standpoint, maybe we should view it more from economics. The Tour de France is one of the biggest sporting events in the entire world, and while it is traditionally French, it is rarely ever won by a Frenchman. Yet, it pumps millions into the French economy every year and draws thousand of tourists to that country. As a sport, cycling has become increasingly popular throughout the world and with this race already established, all it will take is proper marketing and publicity, and the possibilities will be truly astonishing.

For many years, however, the sport of cycling in Belize has been riding on the shoulders of one person and one person only. Yvonne Robinson has now said that she is tired and has tendered her resignation; and now dog weh eat wi supper! What it will take is for a group of hard working and sincere enthusiasts to step forward, pick up this ball and carry it the rest of the way. The foundation has been laid and it is now up to us to build a solid structure that will withstand the test of time.

Long live that fateful day back in 1928 when Metzgen, Haylock, Gran and the feisty Matron Roberts put their heads together and decided to launch this event. Could they have known that it would grow to such a momentous proportion? And then there was Elston Samuel Kerr, winner of the first two Cross Country races, held during a time when the roads were so bad that many times the riders had to carry their bikes on their shoulders as they waded thru muddy creeks and shallows. Is it not time that we officially name this classic after Mr. Kerr? Born on the 28th of December, 1901 in the village of Burrell Boom, one wonders if maybe Elston, being a Boom boy, did not get the same rude reception from us city folks, as the two American winners did.

I think we overdid the local bit just a mite, especially on the radio interviews. One could sense the excitement in Chris Fredericks’ voice as he and Mlujeak tried to recount the accounts of the race. Yet, the biggest interest to the interviewers, seemed not what transpired in the race but the fact that the winners were foreigners. I think we will have to understand, that as long as we continue to allow foreign riders to enter this event, and I wholeheartedly sanction that move, then we will have to face the fact that a local will not win every time. It will be up to our local boys to rise to the occasion, but be ye warned, that it will never happen as long as we keep bickering among ourselves. The bottom line here is that this was an excellently ridden race, maybe one of the best ever, complete with superb strategy and a fair share of drama and controversies.

The drama began of course when leader of the Santino’s Jamis/Grupo Taca Team and hitherto considered bionic, Ernest “Jawmeighan,” switch horses on the muddy incline to the stream. The result as it turned out, was devastating, for at mile 44 on the return, “Jawmeighan” threw in the towel. Interestingly enough, for the Belizean riders on the team, it seemed a cause to worry when “Jawmeighan” defected while for the Americans, it seemed to lend motivation. The two winners revealed in a radio interview that they pretty much isolated poor “Jawmeighan” and showed no mercy. For a surety, that is how the game is played. “Jawmeighan’s” explanation, however, was that he was suffering the after effects of a flu.

Now, one interesting note about this race that probably few people even realized, was that riding among the pack, was a grandson of no other than the legendary Elston Kerr. In fact, Dean Middleton has participated in the last four Cross Country Classics and interestingly enough, the association has yet not seen it fit to announce that.

And speaking of Elston Kerr, is it not time that the association takes over the management and up keep of the grave site and maybe build a fitting shrine. The placing of the wreath on Elston Kerr’s grave has always been a big part of the Cross Country tradition and in itself, adds color to this event. It is my understanding that for the past couple of years the tradition has not been followed. I believe what could also happen is for a big press conference to be held on the evening of Holy Saturday at which time the winners could be presented. Following that could be a victory banquet which could help to raise money for the following year’s prizes.

And speaking of prizes, how about less than $2,000 for first prize; and to be shared by the entire team no less! This is disgraceful when we think of the time and energy that is spent preparing for such a race. Not to mention that one wheel alone for these bikes can run almost that high and how about those who have to fly in to participate. Even the recently established Ruta Maya Canoe Race had bigger prizes and one would think that with all the attention that Cross Country draws, advertisers would be falling over each other in an effort to get publicity for their product, yet they grumble when we go to Chetumal.