Campbell wins stage 3; Schulting still leads

Akil Campbell (T&T/PSL) dominated the Plymouth Criterium of the 2017 Tobago International Cycling Classic (TICC) yesterday.

Campbell (51:07.72) ran away with the stage, which started and ended at Shelbourne Street, ahead of his PSL team-mate Marloe Rodman of Jamaica (51.09.94) with hometown favourite Emile Abraham (Pharmaco) following in 51:10.20.

Jamol Eastmond (BAR/Heatwave), 51:0.32, ensured a Caribbean sweep of the top four places by finishing fourth.

The former Caribbean double champion pulled away from his rivals in the later stage of the race which was reduced from 50 laps to 40 following a crash during the 10th lap.

Campbell went ahead in the ninth lap before the mishap occurred which delayed the race for close to 25 minutes as one of the riders involved in the crash was taken to the hospital.

The race was further delayed as officials awaited the return of the ambulance. On the resumption, Rodman, Adderlyn Cruz (Dom Rep/Raiders) and Twan Brussellman (NED/PSL) took turns leading the race before Campbell sprinted ahead of the main pack. Peter Schulting (NED/PSL), however, extended his overall lead with a sixth place finish.

Schulting captured the leader’s yellow shirt after the First Stage at Shirvan on Wednesday and retained the advantage on Thursday.

Rodman took over the Sprints Standing lead while PSL continue to lead in the team standings.

Linford Blackwood (JAM/Pharmaco) took over the standing in Division Two. The 34 year old finished second in the 10 laps/13km event behind Severin Geissibl (GER/Veloclub Ratisbona) – 18:07.46 to 18:07.79. Jacob Kelly (BAR/Massy United), 18:07.89 was ahead of 17 year old Kemp Orosco (T&T/DPS), 18:08.04. Blackwood is on 37 points ahead of Geissibl (33). Top local woman Teneil Campbell (TTO/PSL) is in third (30) following her seventh place.