By STEPHON NICHOLAS Friday, September 26 2008

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GERMANY’S Stefan Steinweg was in no-nonsense mood yesterday pedalling to victory in Stage One of the gruelling Tobago Cycling Classic which took off from Crown Point Main Road, Tobago.

The 39-year-old German wheelman sent a message to the other riders completing the 120 km grind in two hours 23 minutes and 26 seconds to take early honours in Division I of the five-stage 471km event.

Pan Am Games silver medallist Emile Abraham was less than a minute behind crossing the finish line in 2:24.11.

The Tobago-born cyclist riding for the first time with Team Gremli is one of the top local road racing champions and a favourite for the Cycling Classic having won it seven times.

Abraham’s last victory came five years ago.

Finishing third was Marloe Rodman of Jamaica, riding for Heat Wave in a time of 2:24.12, to stay within striking distance of Steinweg and Abraham. Defending champion, 19-year-old Andres Henig of Germany is not competing.

Stage Two begins at 6.30 am today with a Time Trail while Stage Three pedals off at 1.30 pm.

The third phase of the race starts at the Multi Purpose Complex in Tobago and the pack will make their way from Black Rock to Mt Irvine, Bucco Junction to Shirvan Road, left on Claude Noel Highway, left at Marie Junction to Whim, then left on Plymouth Road to Turtle Beach before finishing at the starting line.

A 12-lap 110 km circuit race on Saturday awaits the participants in Stage Four while the grand finale will take place a day later.

Final stage promises to be the most demanding as the cyclist negotiate the mountainous terrains of Mason Hall, Castara, Charlotteville, Speyside, Roxborough, Bacolet and Scarborough before speeding home at Colours Restaurant and Bar.

Division Two of the Tobago Classic begins today with some of TT’s and the region’s top junior cyclists as well as veteran names such as Gene “Geronimo” Samuel competing for glory.

The local cycling legend will match wheels with his son Gevan Samuel, Garvyn Nero and Guyana’s Geron Willaims.

The Division 2 riders will begin Stage One with a Time Trail while Stage Two starts at 1.30 pm today with a 60 km race The third and final stage will commence at 8 am next day with a 65 km circuit race.