Recent Classics
In both 2007 and 2008, such was the case, as Team Western Spirit of Cayo brought in American Boyd Johnson to help defend the title. After two failed breaks on the return journey in cool weather, a nine-man field entered the Complex; in such circumstances defending champion Vasquez would have no advantage in a sprint. Vasquez led most of the last two laps but then made way for Johnson to win the sprint and the title, while he finished ninth. Save for Roger Troyer of Team Sagitun, no Belizean finished higher than fifth. The course record was lowered to 5 hours, 47 minutes, 23 seconds.
In 2008's race, the pattern of foreigners dominating the Belmopan to Cayo section of the race continued, as Guatemalans and Americans combined to lead breaks into Roaring Creek, where U.S. National under-23 rider Ryan Baumann left the field in a dominant solo run to the City. Notable is that due to construction projects at the MJSC, this year's race finished on the Marine Parade Boulevard near Memorial Park. The course record was lowered to 5 hours, 40 minutes, 12 seconds.
On April 11, 2009, the cyclists pushed forward in sunny, dry conditions and a steady southeast breeze to Cayo. Mexican Antonio Rios and Costa Rican Marco Salas outran the field after an early breakaway and led the pack in and out of San Ignacio to Belmopan. Around mile 38, a group of six began what would become the final run to the City, including Belizean hopefuls Jose Choto and Giovanni Leslie. However, Mexicans Carlos Lopez and Carlos Manuel Hernandez left the pack around mile 12 and sprinted 1-2 to the Memorial Park, with Cuba's Frank Travieso taking third. Lopez became the first Mexican to win since 2002 and only the third overall. Belize's run of futility was extended to four years.
Cross Country Classic Winners 1990–present
| Year | Winner | Second Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 (April 14) | Charles Lewis Belize | Ronald Sutherland Belize |
| 1991 (March 30) | Charles Lewis Belize | Christopher Eash United States |
| 1992 (April 18) | Michael Lewis Belize | Leancy Gomez Cuba |
| 1993 (April 10) | Collet Maheia Belize | Roque Matus Belize |
| 1994 (April 2) | Charles Lewis Belize | Bobby Lee United States |
| 1995 (April 15) | Orlando Chavarria Belize | Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
| 1996 (April 6) | Chris Blake United States | Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
| 1997 (March 29) | Ernest Meighan Belize | Bobby Lee United States |
| 1998 (April 11) | Ben Barnard United States | Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
| 1999 (April 3) | Chris Fredericks United States | Steve Muejack United States |
| 2000 (April 22) | Gustavo Carillo Guatemala | Ben Jones United States |
| 2001 (April 14) | Ernest Meighan Belize | Andrew Smiling Belize |
| 2002 (March 30) | Eduardo Uribe Mexico | Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
| 2003 (April 19) | Chris Harkey United States | Abel Jochola Guatemala |
| 2004 (April 10) | Chris Harkey United States | Shane Vasquez Belize |
| 2005 (March 26) | William Elliston United States | Michael Lewis Belize |
| 2006 (April 15) | Shane Vasquez Belize | Jose Robles Colombia |
| 2007 (April 7) | Boyd Johnson United States | Anthony Taylor Jamaica |
| 2008 (March 22) | Ryan Baumann United States | Michael Lewis Belize |
| 2009 (April 11) | Carlos Lopez Mexico | Carlos Manuel Hernandez Mexico |
| 2010 (April 3) | Miguel Perez Guatemala | Wilmen Bravo Isaga Venezuela |
Read more about this topic: Cross Country Cycling Classic
Famous quotes containing the word classics:
“How to attain sufficient clarity of thought to meet the terrifying issues now facing us, before it is too late, is ... important. Of one thing I feel reasonably sure: we can’t stop to discuss whether the table has or hasn’t legs when the house is burning down over our heads. Nor do the classics per se seem to furnish the kind of education which fits people to cope with a fast-changing civilization.”
—Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)
“Every man with a bellyful of the classics is an enemy to the human race.”
—Henry Miller (1891–1980)