Posted: Monday, March 24, 2025. 10:23 am CST.
Goran Gabourel, center, back row, won ‘Rumble in the Tropics’ Cycling Race on Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Photo Credit: Cycling Federation of Belize
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: In a demonstration of endurance and tactical brilliance, Goran Gabourel of the Anthony Mahler Digi Alliance Cycling Team claimed the top position in the 100-mile ‘Rumble in the Tropics’ cycling race on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Gabourel, finishing first, outpaced Jyven Gonzalez of G-Flow, who secured second place, and Carlton Robinson, his fellow teammate, who completed the podium in third.
Not far behind, Gonzalaez’s teammate, Derrick ‘Baby Chav’ Chavarria, also referred to as ‘Phenom’, who had been the man everyone was out to beat, delivered a solid performance, finishing fourth despite facing significant challenges. After his outstanding performance with an American team in the Dominican Republic, where he competed internationally recently, Chavarria’s presence heightened the stakes for the entire field. However, his efforts were hindered by mechanical problems throughout the race and a dramatic fall down the stretch.
Rounding out the top five was Giovanni Lovell, whose endurance and skill were impressive.
The race also featured standout performances by Shawn Codd (6th), Joslyn Chavarria Jr. (7th), Robert Liam Stewart (8th), Henry Moreira (9th), and Oscar Quiroz (10th), making the competition one of the fiercest in recent history
The demanding race began at 8:00 am from the Esso XaiBel Service Station on the Hummingbird Highway in Stann Creek Valley. Cyclists braved a grueling course with a climb to 2,773 feet above sea level on the Hummingbird Highway, before tackling the George Price Highway and concluding with an electrifying three-lap sprint on Belize City’s Central American Boulevard.
Derrick’s older brother, Joslyn Chavarria Jr, named the Most Aggressive Rider, upped the ante winning three station prizes starting at the Belize Zoo on Mile 29, then Mile 8, before claiming the station prize on the first lap on Central American Boulevard. However, Gabourel demonstrated incredible stamina and strategy, taking control during the final two laps to clinch victory.
With over $15,000 in prizes, the ‘Rumble in the Tropics’ race served as a challenging prelude to the iconic Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic scheduled for April 19.
Top Ten Finishers
The race featured remarkable performances from these top contenders:
- Goran Gabourel – Anthony Mahler Digi Alliance – $5000
- Jyven Gonzalez – G-Flow
- Carlton Robinson – Anthony Mahler Digi Alliance
- Derrick Chavarria – G-Flow
- Giovanni Lovell – Team Lovell
- Shawn Codd – Team PMA
- Joslyn Chavarria Jr – Team Santino’s
- Robert Liam Stewart – Unattached
- Henry Moreira – Anthony Mahler Digi Alliance
- Oscar Quiroz – Valvoline Cycling Team
Under 23
- Goran Gabourel
- Derrick Chavarria
- Delton Rojas
Robert Liam Stewart, center, topped the three Masters categories – March 23, 2025 – Photo Credit: Cycling Federation of Belize
Masters 35+
- Robert Liam Stewart
- Henry Moreira
- Gregory Lovell
Masters 40+
- Robert Liam Stewart
- Henry Moreira
- Gregory Lovell
Masters 50+
- Robert Liam Stewart
- Julio César Alcocer – Santino’s – Mexican
Station Prizes and Most Aggressive Rider Award
Chavarria Jr.’s dominance during the last 30 miles led him to win three station prizes:
Top of the Gap – Hollis Baptist – $1500 – BTB
2nd station prize St Margaret’s Jyven Gonzalez – G-Flow – $250 – BTB
Clim before Blue Hole – Jyven Gonzalez – $250 – BTB
Top of Armenia – Giovanni Lovell – $750 BTB
Climb before Belmopan – Giovanni Lovell – $250 – BTB
Mile 36 – Oscar Quiroz – $500 – BTB
Belize Zoo – Joslyn Chavarria Jr – $250 – BTB
Chavarria also gets Most Aggressive Rider – +$300 – BTB
Mile 8 – Joslyn Chavarria Jr – $250 – BTB
Eleanor Hall Blding (in Memory of Rony Balderamos) – Henry Moreira – $500
Central American Blvd Lap 1 – Joslyn Chavarria Jr – $200 – BTB
Central American Blvd Lap 2 – Goran Gabourel $200 – BTB
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The post Goran Gabourel wins brutal ‘Rumble in the Tropics’ Cycling Race; Jyven Gonzalez takes 2nd place appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, March 24, 2025. 10:23 am CST. Goran Gabourel, center, back row, won ‘Rumble in the Tropics’ Cycling Race on Sunday, March 23, 2025 –
The post Goran Gabourel wins brutal ‘Rumble in the Tropics’ Cycling Race; Jyven Gonzalez takes 2nd place appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
