Mateo Cruz wins Belmopan Cycling Classic

James Adderley
Good evening I’m James Adderley and here’s your weekly dish of Sports Monday. We kick off with week three of the RFG Cup Tournament as F.C. Belize of the metropolis hosts Wagiya of Dangriga inside the M.C.C. Grounds Sunday evening.

We’re some ten minutes into the action when Wagiya tries to grab the early lead off this violent right foot volley from Jason Kelly that just screams over the crossbar.

The visitors then press the attack off this spotkick on top the eighteen, but Elroy Smith places the pill too close to the F.C. goal keeper.

And then the Dangriga team feels like they are being robbed when referee Pelayo nullifies this header from Harrison Tasher because of what must have been a foul away from the ball.

Of course F.C. Belize feels the same way when Deon McCauley’s goal is also voided by the referee. It’s F.C. Belize in the ascendancy now people and Jeromy James has the perfect opportunity to impress the scoreboard. And guess what? He botches the move.

A few minutes later Jeromy James makes amends and this right foot to the far corner gives F.C. Belize the lead at the thirty-seventh minute.

Second half brings further deterioration to a ballgame already low on quality as exemplified by this centre from Tyrone Muschamp into the danger zone, which should have produced at least some excitement.

Moments later, Emory Nunez gets this open look at goal and the result makes him disappointed with himself. People disappointment is an equal opportunity employer and Lisbey Castillo knows that he should have done much better with this look at goal.

F.C. Belize goes on to take the 1-zip big W in regulation.

In other Group A action around the league, Tex Mar Boys bombed Belmopan 5-nothing, while Hankook Verdes and Toledo United settled for a 2-2 stalemate at San Ignacio.

Over in Group B, Costa del Sol Nairi’s used the home field advantage at San Pedro to blank Santels of Cayo 2-zip. Revolutionary Conquerors humbled Lake I in a 5-nothing blast at Dangriga, while the Sugar City war saw Suga Boys Juventus and Alpha Glitters settle for a 1-1 stalemate.

Week four’s schedule brings all Sunday matches. In Group A, Wagiya will host Tex Mar Boys at Dangriga, Belmopan Bandits travel to P.G. for its date with Toledo United, and F.C. Belize will be at the M.C.C. Grounds against Hankook Verdes United.

In Group B play, S.P. Costa del Sol Nairi’s will host Suga Boys Juventus, Santels will get a visit from Lake I of Belize City, and Revolutionary Conquerors head to the People’s Stadium in search of Alpha Glitters.

Turning to the cycling scene, a whopping ninety-three riders are suited up for Sunday’s blast off of the twenty-fifth SanCas Belmopan Cycle Classic from the Constitution Park here in Belize City. And it could be because the mighty Cross Country Cycle Classic is right around the corner.

And so, all the big names and all the big teams are in full regalia as the one hundred and five-mile ride to capital city Belmopan and back begins. Folks, just outside Hattieville a major spill occurs, and while we didn’t catch the actual event, we can show glimpses of the aftermath. Bicycles are destroyed and five riders were forced to retire. Of course the show must go on.

Around mile twenty-nine, we have a breakaway five that includes Froggy Leslie, Mateo Cruz, and Big Mike Lewis. By the time the race turns into Belmopan, the lead pack has ballooned to some eight members. But it’s only seven remaining in the lead pack when the ride swings back onto the Western Highway.

At La Democracia, M and M Tour champion, Marlon Castillo steps out to take that station prize. It’s a brand new ballgame when the race arrives at Hattieville on the way back and Chris Harkey has now become the protagonist.

Coming out of Hattieville, it’s a five-man configuration now controlling the pace: Chris Harkey of Acros Smiling; Luis Santizo of M and M Engineering; Froggy Leslie, Mateo Cruz, and Gregory Lovell, all of Santino’s looking to extend their lead.

At Almond Hill Luis Santizo steps out to grab that premie, but there’s a new wrinkle up front as four riders have now crossed over to join the leaders.

At the Faber’s Road junction it’s a two man clash featuring Chris Harkey and Mateo Cruz. It’s still a two-man race heading to the finish line at the City Centre on Central American Boulevard. Give it up to Mateo Cruz of Santino’s who wins it all in 4 hours, 21 minutes, 47 seconds.

Chris Harkey riding for Acros Guinness Smiling Meats has to settle for second place. Juan Manuel Sandoval of also of Acros Guinness Smiling Meats pulls up third. Darnell Barrow of Benny’s Megabytes takes fourth place. Giovanni Leslie of Santino’s finishes fifth, his team-mate Gregory Lovell takes sixth place. And yeah, you’re wondering why we didn’t stop at the first five, well we’re going to seventh place because it’s important; Ismael Ponce of Mexico takes that finish.

Held everything people, according to this press release from the President Melvin Torres of the Belize Cycling Association Ismael Ponce, registered by the Acros Guinness Smiling Meats team is not a Mexican rider coming into this event, but he really is Jose Manuel Garcia Ponce, a registered U.C.I. professional riding for Toyota United Pro Cycling Team and currently residing in Los Angeles, U.S.A. As a result, all riders registered with this team have been disqualified for this particular event and are being asked to return all prizes, plus Acros Guinness Smiling Meats are being fined five thousand dollars a team.

In the meantime, we join Mateo Cruz of Santino’s inside the winner’s circle.

Mateo Cruz, Winner, SanCas Belmopan Classic
“I didn’t want to bring all those guys with me because I don’t know the guy from Tekos but when I looked at him he wasn’t responding quick. So I attacked right by the dump and then Chris Harkey responded and came. But I wanted to come by myself because the way I felt I didn’t want to chance it with a sprint because Chris Harkey hadn’t been here for a good while, so I didn’t want to take that chance. But he caught me and he start pacing. I told him I’m gonna bounce it on because Froggy is coming and Froggy is a good sprinter and I think he got intimidated and he sacrifice himself bringing it into the city. He asked me if I’m gonna let him win and I said hell no because I have been criticised a long time I didn’t want to take the chance and stuff and so I knew—like Gustavo told me, Gustavo said, “Mateo, sometimes when the day come you have to take advantage of it” and I took advantage of it today.”

Finally folks, we turn to the softball scene and in action in the Belize City competition Friday night, Lady Rebel edged B.T.L. 2-1 in the female opener; while in the male nightcap inside Rogers Stadium, B.E.L. Rookies walloped Advance Strikers 11-zip. Now Wednesday night’s schedule inside Rogers Stadium finds B.T.L. taking on Sigertronics, that’s at six-thirty p.m. and Dantos will face B.E.L. Rookies in game two.

Hey, if you are within the area, make sure you stop in for prime time entertainment. That’s it for now though. We invite you back same time, same place next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.