Dutch rider completes clean sweep of titles

Peter Schulting (Netherlands/PSL) pedalled away with the UCI 1.2 Tour of Tobago to sweep the titles at the 2017 edition of the Tobago International Cycling Classic.

On the final day of action yesterday, Schulting won the 120-kilometre race around Tobago in three hours 37 minutes 15.82 seconds (3:37:15.82).

The Dutch rider started strongly at the Scarborough Esplanade and was joined by his fellow Dutch PSL teammates Nick Stopler and Arno Van Der Zwet as the leading riders journeyed up into Moriah and Des Vignes Road. Schulting pulled away from his rivals coming out of Charlotteville and sauntered across the final line at the Esplanade just after 11 am. Schulting also copped the King of the Mountain prize.

Guyana’s Raynauth Jeffrery (Pharmaco) finished in fourth and was the top Caribbean rider. Veteran Guy Costa (Heatwave) was the lop local rider, crossing the line in 17th position. Twenty six of the 54 riders who started the event finished.

Speaking after his victory, Schulting said he was pleased. “When you finish first it is always a special moment and I am really happy.”

He overcame the challenges of the hill coming out of Charlotteville. “I made my move coming out of Charlotteville on one the steepest climbs I ever did in my life.”

The 331st World-ranked cyclist said he was not to exhausted after his win in the four-stage event. “The last two stages (of the Four Stage Race) were not really long and did not push me to the limit and (yesterday) I was recovered. Both (wins stand out but) this is a UCI race so international it is a higher. I also like the four day race.” He was elated with getting his first two wins ever. “I think I am getting better as I am getting older. Maybe when I am past 40 I will be a world champion. I will race in Trinidad on Wednesday, which is my last race for the season.”

The Race was supervised by UCI’s Steven Eppel USA), Louis Lalonde (Canada) and Julie Rodman (England).