Unfortunately for Belizeans who were rooting for one of our own to end a four-year drought for Belize in the 83rd Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, it was Guatemalan Luis Santizo, riding for Orange Walk's Sugar City Stars, who rode away from the field in the last five miles to claim the garland in six hours, eight minutes and 10 seconds.

It is Sugar City's second victory in the Classic in as many years.

The first Belizean across the line was also the last Belizean to win this event, Shane Vasquez of Western Spirit, Cayo. He finished third while Carlos Hernandez of the Guatemalan National Team took second place.

At the start of the race, Belizeans such as Peter Choto of Cayo and Ernest Meighan led the field at a fast clip and took most of the station prizes. Choto road alone for as many as 30 miles from La Democracia to Mount Hope.

On the return journey, a group of four cyclists including Santizo, Darnell Barrow of Santino's team and others, broke from the field and managed to hold them off the peloton up to the entrance to the city. At Mile 2, Santizo broke away and rode alone to the tape at the Memorial Park on Marine Parade. Barrow, in whom Belize had placed its hope as the race progressed, eventually finished fifth.

Some 133 riders, 26 of them from outside Belize, rode a 1 hundred 42.4 mile stretch from Belize City to San Ignacio and back.

The prize for first place winner, Luis Santizo was a 5 thousand dollars plus several trophies, the Garland and the Elston Kerr Cup Sculpture.

	16th Belize Cycling Association 83rd Annual Cross Country Classic Final Classification (23Apr11)
	2011 Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycle Classic STATION PRIZE WINNERS
	Prize Presentation