The Belmopan Classic - it's the last major Western highway before the cross-country - and on Sunday morning, 52 male riders lined up at the August meat shop for a 105-mile race. While the race was dominated until the end by two foreign riders, in the end two prominent Belizean riders from rivals Santino's and Smiling Meats would come to the line in a sprint.
[Ian Smith sprinting across finish line]
Ian Smith, Winner
"I was very nervous because Ariel Rosado is not a very young man. He has one races and last year practically dominated racing in Belize. But not everyday is your day."
And while Smith was happy with his win, Ariel Rosado was crushed.
Ariel Rosado, 2nd Place
"It feels horrible man. No worse feeling in the sport, it almost would feel better to come in at the back than to come so close. And I really wanted to win this one because this is the only race I haven't one. It doesn't matter that I came in second, I still lost. I wish I could do it all over again cause I made a mistake. Ian is my friend and everything but I want him to know I'm coming back for him."
Jules Vasquez,
"Does it make it worse because of the rivalry between Santino's and Smiling Meats?"
Ariel Rosado,
"It is because it is a heavy weight on your shoulder and you know they are the man you have to beat."
And now Rosado now hope to get even with Smith on the cross country in a month's time - when he'll be the targeted rider.
Ian Smith,
"I will know on that day if I was ready. Everything is new to me again. The last time I rode this race was in 1996 and my last cross country was 4 years ago so I don't know 20 or 30 miles in how my legs will do."
"I still can't believe that I am at this level again, I was 60 pounds overweight, and thought my cycling days were over, I can't believe I am back at this level."
Shane Vasquez came in third and for the women violet Morrisson finished first followed by Gina Lovell.