He is only 20 years old and he when he came to Belize last week it was Ryan Baumann’s first visit. And on Holy Saturday Baumann won the 80th Cross Country Cycling Classic on his first try. But Baumann didn’t just ride across the finish line first – he shattered the previous record by an astounding 7 minutes – riding solo into Belize City. That was an amazing end to what was an incredible race - once again dominated – for the most part - by foreign cyclists. There was only one Belizean in the top 5 and 7 in the top 15.
7NEWS had a unique vantage for the early part of the race. Courtesy Capital Life, Allied Insurance and Harry Pilgrim we were above the race, where Astrium helicopters brought our camera man Alex Ellis to a front row seat for a fast moving event.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Our coverage of the Cross Country began in the air just outside of Belize City. This is the bird’s eye view of the 116 cyclists pedaling westbound into a head wind on the Western Highway.
Deandy Ordonez and Calman Williams took an early lead from the main pelathon – scooping up station prizes on the way to Hattieville. But their dominance didn’t last long – because in came Guatemalan Manuel Rodas. He was followed closely by Team Sagitun’s Geri Mewett and it remained that way
for miles. So while the main pelathon was crossing the Hattieville roundabout – Rodas and Mewett- were way ahead – by at least 2 minutes. They led like lone riders with the main pelathon behind at a distance that seemed far far away.
It was a two man show – heading up the Western Highway until Manuel Rodas made this break at mile 25. That got him a station prize but minutes later Geri Mewett from Team Sagitun rode past Rodas – grabbing two station prizes. A chase group cut Rodas’ lead as they rode past the Belize Zoo – and it became a three man group…. followed closely behind by a chase group.
But all that changed at La Democracia as Rodas broke away and stayed in the
And chase they did – this is St. Mathew’s Village – but Rodas kept his lead – heading across the bridge at the entrance of Roaring Creek. And Rodas roared on from Roaring Creek to Camalote and Teakettle with the chase group on his tail. It was a lead the Guatemalan maintained to San Ignacio.
