Schulting whips field to clinch 2017 Tobago Classic

Peter Schulting (Netherlands/PSL) landed the 2017 Tobago International Cycling Classic Stage title. At the end of the fourth and final stage at Wilson Road, Scarborough yesterday, Schulting was declared the winner scoring 33 points, despite finishing ninth in the 50 laps/50-kilometre race around the Scarborough Market.

Marlo Rodman (Jamaica/PSL) captured the race in 1:05:37.21 ahead of Rafael Meran (Colombia/Raiders) 1:05.37.35, and Lucas Carstesen (Germany/Embrace The World) 1:05:37.41. Akil Campbell (TT/PSL) was the top local rider in sixth overall after he was fifth in the stage.

Schulting led after winning the first stage in Carnbee on Wednesday and maintained his lead after he was second in Stage Two (Thursday) and sixth in Stage Three (Friday).

The PSL team controlled yesterday’s Division One race from the onset with Campbell setting the early pace on Wilson Road taking the first two laps of the 50-lap race before his team-mate Alex Bhogal of Canada went ahead in the sixth, seventh and eight laps. Pharmaco rider Raynauth Jeffrey of Guyana tried to undo PSL’s team’s plan as he zoomed ahead in the 11th and 12th circuits.

Bhogal went back to the helm of the race and led for the majority of the criterium as he was in pole position for 31 of the 50 laps before dropping out of the contention after his effort for his team was done. Joshua Alexander (TTO/Raiders) tailed Bhogal most of the way.

Rodman captured the Sprint Prime title with 174 points ahead of Campbell (167) and Nicklas Pedersen (Denmark/Econo Car) 137. Cartesen was the Top Under-25 rider while Rodman was the top Caribbean finisher. Campbell was the top TT cyclist.

Schulting ensured the title returned to the Netherlands as Arno Van Der Zwet won last year’s crown. However, Van Der Zwet finished down the field in 43rd position. Schulting was elated as he recorded his first ever race win. “This is the first win in my life. I am really happy I held it to the end.”

He credited his team for his victory. “Winning the overall title) was important to PSL. The last day was good for us so I can hold the yellow jersey. The team plan was to let a small group go away with two of our guys. I was most happy with winning Stage One.”

The 30-year-old said he enjoyed Tobago and a chance to sample some of the local food. “This is my first time (racing in Tobago). Most of the roads are good. There are nice views and incredible places around the island. I have been to Charlotteville and Store Bay (beaches). (On Friday) I ate roti and that was pretty nice.”

Seventeen-year old local rider Kemp Orosco of DPS took care of the Division Two category after he captured the 20 laps/20km event in 28:59.76. Orosco, who rode with PSL in Tobago, was ahead after his victory in the first stage in Carnbee on Wednesday.

The 31st edition of the Tobago International Cycling Classic (TICC) ends today with the UCI 1.2 Tour of Tobago which begins at the Scarborough Esplanade, Milford Road, Scarborough from 7.30 am. In the 120K race the riders will travel through Plymouth, Castara, Charlotteville, Speyside, Roxborough, Mason Hall and end at Scarborough.

James Picolli (Canada/PSL), who won last year’s race, will not be defending his crown.