Podium finishers LtoR James Cusden, Kelvin Bowers, Rob Patrick, Gaetan Contrino



Cusden Displays Impressive Form in Novartis Consumer Health-Riyadh
Wheelers Opener


The successful and popular Novartis Consumer Health-Riyadh Wheelers
cycling club rolled into their new season with their traditional
opener, a 10 mile time trial.  Before the start, new sponsors were
proudly introduced to the members and supporters, joining Novartis
this year are Schneider-Electric, Almarai and Timex Watches, who
through their generosity will guarantee another successful season.
The interest amongst the Filipino community has never been greater,
with an impressive 31 Pinoys signing-on, making them by far the
biggest nationality of the 10 represented who made up making up the 60
starters.  The day was perfect for time trialling and although the
wind did change during the event, there was never a doubt about the
winner, last years Champion James Cusden, who crushed the field with a
27+mph effort.  Interviewed after the event, Cusden revealed to be
fitter this year thanks to riding with a South American professional
team during the summer.  Winner of last season's final event, Kelvin
Bowers, carried his form through a tough triathlon season to take a
fine second place ahead of Gaetan Contrino and Rob Patrick who could
not be separated on time.  The top 4 were joined by Saudi all-rounder
Nasser Al Mutrad who was the only other rider to record a 25mph+ ride,
which is impressive so early in the season.  Leading a tightly
contested group of 8 riders only separated by a minute, Pinoy #1 Jaime
Sunga came in next, admitting his preparation had been affected by
long working hours.   A new name to look out for, Lars Cortsen, is a
talented Ironman triathlete and will be giving the Wheelers members a
hard time in the months ahead.  Cat B looks to be a close contest this
year, Canadian Fiona MacLeod taking the notable scalps of established
stars Nancy Desanghere and Freda Gocian, who are training for
international events later this year.  After a difficult year with
injury, it was good to see Peter Waddell back on top of the Senior
category from Catalino Laoagan.


RESULTS

1st J.Cusden 21:45; 2nd K.Bowers 23:22; eq 3rd G.Contrino, R.Patrick
23:33; 5th N.Al Mutrad 23:57; 6th J.Sunga 24:24; 7th R.Gocian 24:32;
8th L.Cortsen 24:41; 9th R.Taylor 24:55; 10th G.Morete 25:03; eq 11th
R.Flores, R.Delos Santos 25:04; 13th B.Syfrig 25:16; 14th R.Platil
25:25; 15th C.Ryan 25:51; 16th G.Swinburne 25:59; 17th J.Cordial
26:16; 18th H.Kilpatrick 26:19; 19th H.Rom 26:35; 20th P.Casey 26:38;
21st F.MacLeod 27:00 (B); 22nd F.Gocian 27:10(B); 23rd F.Oberlaender
27:11; 24th R.Rocas 27:33; 25th L.Davis 27:34; 26th K.Hills 27:57;
27th M.Varde 27:58; 28th J.Forrester 28:07; 29th P.Soycon 28:09; 30th
A.De Leon 28:16; 31st A.Carinan 28:22; eq 32nd D.Del Rosario, M.Piper
28:34; 34th S.Baker 28:35; 35th I.Albert 28:50; 36th P.Waddell 28:53;
37th J.Jaruskova 29:02(B); 38th G.Russell 29:18; 39th C.Laoagan 29:22;
40th G.Escobar 29:25; 41st G.Agullo 29:39; 42nd M.Cria 29:43; 43rd
N.Desanghere 29:51(B); 44th L.Ordonez 30:17; 45th R.Bitong 30:27; 46th
J.Javier 30:31; 47th J.Damance 30:38; 48th H.Bert Marinas 30:55; 49th
R.Ruan 31:09; 50th C.Rillera 31:12; 51st F.Requillo 31:19; 52nd
F.Gregorio 31:49; 53rd R.Bishop 31:51; 54th M.Galang 32:40; 55th
J.Solis 33:41; 56th R.Pedrosa 34:02; 57th O.Galang 34:15

CATEGORIES

OPEN James Cusden; VETERAN Jaime Sunga; MASTER Kelvin Bowers; SENIOR
Peter Waddell; CAT B Fiona MacLeod