Mexican wins Krem Cycling Classic

The run up to the Krem New Years Cycling Classic may have been dominated by controversy, but once the riders hit the road in Corozal the competition tested to the traditional skills of strength, endurance and strategy. And while the four riders of the Santino’s team were allowed to enter by order of the Supreme Court, the winning rider, Neo Camacho, was an independent entry from Jalisco Mexico. The final sprint was a close one with Camacho crossing the line first followed by Guatemalan Carlos Hernandez and Belizeans Michael Lewis, Jose Canto and Gregory Lovell. Rounding out the top ten were Marlon Castillo, Sherman Thomas, Byron Pope, Roger Troyer and Jeffrey Zelaya. With the aid of a translator, here’s what the champ had to say after his victory.

[Neo Camacho speaking in Spanish]

Translator
“He say, thank you very much and congratulations for a great race and great fans in cycling in Belize. He hopes to come back with a full team for the Tour of Belize and the Cross Country Race.”

“We did very good work, we rode well at the beginning of the race and we respect him for the finish with us and fortunately … (unintelligible). We are really, really happy, we love Belize because Belize loves cycling.”

Taking top honours in the female competition from Orange Walk to Belize City was Shalini Zabaneh followed by Alicia Thompson and Marinette Flowers. Among the junior riders Edward Reyes was top finisher with Jiaro Campo second and Geon Hanson placing third.