Darien Anderson, Brandon Cattouse, Dwayne Wade, Barney Brown and Kaya Cattouse claim early leadership
Division 2 winners – L‑R: Stephen Jorgenson, Darian Anderson, Charles Leslie – Photo Credit: As The Wheels Turn
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Darien Anderson, Brandon Cattouse, Dwayne Wade, Barney Brown and Kaya Cattouse captured the first victories of the M&M Engineering Weekend Warrior Tour of Belize 2026 on Friday morning as the four‑day, four‑stage event opened with a fast 31.8‑mile Link Road Circuit Race. The five riders now hold the early leads in Division 2, Masters A, Masters B, Masters C and the Female category as the tour continues toward Sunday’s Mountain Pine Ridge test and Monday’s Belmopan finale.
The M&M Engineering Weekend Warrior Tour of Belize 2026—The Ultimate 4‑Stage Cycling Tour—runs from March 6–9, featuring four demanding routes and five championship categories.
Stage 1 set the tone with fast racing, tight finishes, and standout performances across all categories.
Darian Anderson claimed the first victory of the 2026 tour, powering to the Division 2 win ahead of Stephen Jorgenson, who secured second place, and Charles Leslie, who completed the podium in third.
The result gives Anderson the early Division 2 lead heading into the weekend.
Masters A winners L-R: Phillip Leslie, Brandon Cattouse, Miguel Cendales – Photo Credit: As The Wheels Turn
Brandon Cattouse powered to the first yellow jersey of the weekend, taking a confident victory in the Masters A field. Cattouse, one of the most consistent riders in the category, timed his effort well to secure the top podium spot ahead of Phillip Leslie, who claimed second, and Colombian‑Belizean rider Miguel Cendales, who rounded out the podium in third.
The result places Cattouse in an early leadership position heading into the weekend’s remaining stages.
Masters B winners L-R: Kenny Gladden, Dwayne Wade, Robert Liam Stewart – Photo Credit: As The Wheels Turn
Masters B: Wade clocks the fastest time of the day
Dwayne Wade delivered the most decisive performance of Stage 1, winning the Masters B category in 1:22:20, averaging 23.1 mph over the 31.75 miles. Wade’s pace split the field and set a high bar for the rest of the tour.
Kenny Gladden secured second place after staying closest to Wade’s tempo, while Liam Stewart claimed third to complete the Masters B podium.
Masters C winners L-R: Warren Coye, Barney Brown, Edmond Castro – Photo Credit: As The Wheels Turn
Veteran rider Barney Brown opened his 2026 campaign with a strong and composed ride to win Masters C. Brown held off Warren Coye, who finished second, and former government minister and long‑time cyclist Edmond Castro, who took third.
The trio is expected to feature prominently as the tour continues, with Brown now carrying the category lead into Stage 2.
Women winners L-R: Patricia Chavarria, Kaya Cattouse, Kedisha Francis – Photo Credit: As The Wheels Turn
Kaya Cattouse, one of Belize’s most decorated female cyclists, powered to a confident victory in the Female category to begin her 2026 tour campaign. Patricia Chavarria claimed second place, while Kedisha Francis secured third.
Kaya’s win places her firmly in control of the category heading into the next stage
What Stage 1 means for the weekend
The opening day established clear frontrunners but also showed that the gaps remain small enough for major shifts in the general classification as the tour progresses. With two days of racing still ahead, the Masters fields remain wide open, and tactical riding will be crucial.
Tour Overview
- Stage One – John Smith “Link” Road Circuit Race
March 6 • 5:30 a.m. • 31.8 miles
- Stage Two – La Democracia–Hope Creek–La Democracia
March 7 • 8:00 a.m. • 72 miles
- Stage Three – MPR (Mountain Pine Ridge)
March 8 • 9:00 a.m. • 54.3 miles
- Stage Four – George Price Blvd–Belmopan Circuit
March 9 • 9:00 a.m. • 55.79 miles
Stage 1 implications
With three stages remaining—including the long 72‑mile Stage 2 and the demanding Mountain Pine Ridge climb—leaders will face significant challenges as they defend their positions. The general classification remains wide open heading into Saturday’s second stage.
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Darien Anderson, Brandon Cattouse, Dwayne Wade, Barney Brown and Kaya Cattouse claim early leadership Division 2 winners – L‑R: Stephen Jorgenson, Darian Anderson, Charles Leslie – Photo Credit: As The Wheels Turn By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Darien Anderson, Brandon Cattouse, Dwayne Wade, Barney Brown and Kaya Cattouse captured the first victories of the M&M Engineering
The post M&M Engineering Weekend Warrior Tour of Belize 2026 opens with Stage 1 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.