James Adderley with Sports Monday
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and you’re right on time for a Tuesday version of Sports Monday. Hurricane Mitch sent the Belizean population scuffling to higher grounds last week. Mitch didn’t land on Belizean shores but it dumped enough water and confusion to halt all sporting activities scheduled this weekend. However, we’ve been trying to catch up with our number one cyclist Ernest Meighan since his venture into the professional race scene at Coconut Grove, Miami two weeks ago.
Q: “Ernest we were very delighted with the news that you were going to compete in the Coconut Grove race. In fact we knew that you were going professional. Would you like to tell us about this race?”
Ernest Meighan
“First of all I just went there for the experience because I knew what type of guys I was going to meet; actually lone professional guys. Actually the guys rode the Tour de France this year and they placed good in the Tour de France.”
Q: “What kind of ride was this and tell us about the team you rode with?”
Ernest Meighan
“Well, the team I rode with, we had two different teams the Santino’s Jamis team and we have a next team in Miami that I meet in Miami. At first I did not meet those guys and some of our locals here in Belize. So I meet five guys along with me from the Santino’s Jamis team so we all rode together along with Bobby Lee who is always here and Chris Fedrics, they usually come in Belize, and Grant Potter.”
Q: “Tell us about the finish of this Santino’s team.”
Ernest Meighan
“Well, I was in a couple breaks in the criterium race and I won a prim; I actually won a prim in the first ten laps. I won cause I was out there leading for a couple laps than I got caught up in about the fifteenth lap of the race. I was in seven more breaks after that. I missed the last one; the last one was about fourteen laps to go and that was it. I just had to finish with the guys. The main guy who won that race was George Hincop and he and Kevin Livingston that conquered this team.”
Q: “Do you have an overall finish you could like to share with us?”
Ernest Meighan
“I placed thirty-eight out of a hundred and twenty five riders”
Q: “Now that you have competed in the Coconut Grove race, do you feel that it is your time to go professional? Can you cut it with the big guys inside America on the bicycle?”
Ernest Meighan
“I want to but I think I would be wasting time. I have to more try to ride international race and try get a sponsor outside and that’s the way to go. Start from a small team outside and try get into a big team.”
Q: “Ernest, you went out there as Belize’s best and left a lot of guys back home here who are your rivals; who are your competitors, but nevertheless over the last two to three years you have dominated the cycling scene. What is the difference that pushes you to be number one against the guys that are always there but you always come out on top?”
Ernest Meighan
“I don’t say I train really too hard. I think I am naturally talented, just putting in the training that I need to but not as hard as it should be.”
Turning to the B.F.L. football scene the last playing schedule on October twenty-fifth saw Juventus blank Belmopan Builders 1-zip, Acros and Jube battle to a scoreless tie at the M.C.C. Grounds, Sagitun was held to a 2-2 draw by Yabra, La Victoria edged the Jaguars at Dangriga 2-1 while Real Verdes picked up its second win stopping Southern United 2-1 at the Norman Broaster Stadium.
Unfortunately folks at press time we couldn’t find out what games will be scheduled for this Sunday November eighth. As soon as we get it we will pass it on. We invite you back same time, same place. Jah over all. I’m James Adderley.
