Lisa Adamson became the first VI cyclist to win gold at the Caribbean Cycling Championships.

Adamson out sprinted veteran Bermudian cyclist Deanna McMullen to win gold in Monday’s road race after they had dropped the other competitors on the final lap which produced a series of tactical manoeuvers of attacks and counter attacks enroute to the finish.

“I am very excited and pleased with my performance in the road race because I knew that she [McMullen] would have been my only real competitor,” Adamson told the StandPoint shortly after returning to the Virgin Islands on Tuesday.

Adamson, who had won silver in time trial last year, finished behind McMullen the previous day to retain her medal in the event which she enjoys.

“It was very nerve wrecking for me especially since I learned that the major cycling nations of Bermuda, Martinique and Guadeloupe were there. Once I got over the time trial which I lost by just 28 seconds, I started to feel a little more comfortable and confident that I would have done well,” Adamson stated.

She admitted that entering the two-day event, the main focus was the time trial, but noted that her finish behind McMullen was satisfactory since she had lost to her two years ago in Puerto Rico.

Adamson who burst into tears after initially refusing to accept that she had actually won the road race said that she was extremely surprised at beating her nemesis.

Cycling Federation President, David Thomas, who was in a trail vehicle behind Adamson said that he was confident Adamson would produce a stellar road race after her performance in the time trial.

“After the time trial I noticed how she rode and I knew that she stood a great chance so I sat her down and told her what I saw. After watching both Lisa and McMullen in the time trial, I knew this was the BVI’s chance at a top finish. She rode a perfect race. She was strong and confident. It was never a doubt for me,” Thomas said. He said that from the beginning of the race, it was clear that it would have been between Adamson and McMullen.

With 200 yards to the finish line, Adamson knew she had to match McMullen’s sprint.

“I heard David shout at me to go now and then I looked up at the finish line and saw my teammate Mark Smith waving to me to come and then I realized that the sprint was on because I glanced over and there I saw her up and sprinting and I just went at it,’ Adamson stated.

She recalled crossing the finish line and looking over her shoulder to see McMullen.

“It could have been a double. It was that kind of race weekend for Lisa, but I knew there were no chase vehicles allowed so I do not know what happened along the way, but she did indicate that she felt like throwing up at one stage during the time trail,” Thomas explained.

Other VI cyclist taking part in the event included, Mark Smith, Patlian Johnson and Gareth Thomas.

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