Joy Of Joys: The Garland Stays Home!
It was a very violent and tragic weekend in Belize: 8 persons died; three were killed, and another 5 died in drowning and traffic accidents - while five more - including a ten year old and two teenagers were shot.
A lot of bad news, too much, honestly�.but tonight we'll start with the good news, very good news, actually: the Cross Country Garland is home safe tonight, a Belizean has won it.
Even if you were under a rock somewhere this weekend, you'll definitely know that Giovanni Choto went on one of the greatest rides in history to become the 84th. Cross Country Champion.
7news was on the road with the race and here's how it all unfolded:
Jules Vasquez reporting
80 riders lined for the 84th race for the garland including some 7 foreigners - at 6:00 am they were off.
As we head towards mile 8 - 5 riders have already broken away - these are Mark Staine, and Allen Castillo of Benny's, Kyne Gentle of D and D Cycling, Sherman Thomas of Capital City Cycling Club and Giovanni Choto of Western Spirit. And then the inevitable happens: Mark Staine loses control hits the pavement, moments later, Kyne Gentle loses control and hits the dust. So what was five is now three.
The crash was consequential because the Benny's second rider in the break, Mark Staine was now on the pavement, leaving only Allen Castillo to defend Benny's and then Kyne Gentle left D and D with no representation in the break.
Around mile 13 - the leader three is working smoothly and the time gap on the main pack is already a minute and a half.
At the entrance to Hattieville - Giovani Choto claims the station prize given in memory of DJ Scopio.
The main peloton at the Hattieville police station was led by Benny's Megabyte. At Rockville Giovanni choto again claimed the station prize. The main peloton was already two minutes behind.
Around mile twenty two it was over two minutes separating the breakway from the main bunch.
Around mile 29 Andrew Ordonez Bike Shop represents - while Giovanni Choto drives on. At La Democracia, it's Allen Castillo's turn to take the station prize. while off the pace, Choto takes down an energy gel. Around mile 44, there's no more Sherman Thomas - it's only Giovanni Choto and Allen Castillo and the time-keeper says the gap is 4:38.
At the Belmopan Cutoff, Allen Castillo claims the station prize. And coming towards the Belmopan cutoff almost five minutes later is the main pack - in no hurry to chase the breakaway.
By Blackman Eddy the breakaway had a six minute gap and the leaders looked comfortable.
Spectators gathered on Mount Hope and the first face they saw coming to the top was Giovanni Choto - dancing on his pedals to the roaring approval of the crowd while wining the station prize in honour of Rhett Reyes and Dwayne Arnold.
Twelve seconds later Allen Castillo makes it over the top and then some six minutes later - is the main pack - still in no hurry to chase.
Alfrain Supaul - looking not quite hype - was dropped at the foot of the hill labouring over the top.
As they approach Esperanza - the lead pair are back together with Giovanni Choto on the pace. A huge crowd awaited them in Cayo and at the halfway point, Choto is the first across Hawkesworth Bridge with a hometown crowd reception more than six minutes later, Hernan Ochaeta of Santino and Erwin Middleton of Capital City passed through.
And as they headed out, the main pack was heading in led by Team Benny's riders attack somewhere around Georvgeville on the way back we caught up with Allen Castillo who is obviously deflated - he has lost contact - and we have a brand new configuration.
It's a solo flight as Giovanni Choto is the sole leader - powering through the hills with relative ease - as bystanders cheer him on at Unitedville the solo run continues, Choto now a man on a mission and the crowds cheer and throw water at him. He even got bathed in petals.
Coming down Mount Hope he is in prime descending form. Coming around Dead Man Curve - choto is a lone figure still with a 6 minute lead. But the word is out that the chase is on with the main peloton whipping around the turn. At the Belmopan cutoff - the chase group of 24 riders is led by Benny's Mexican import Carlos Lopez, in the yellow shoes - and the time at Belmopan was down to under give minutes.
The chase continues in earnest with Lopez, the 2009 champion on the front - as thin line of riders try to keep up with the torrid pace at mile 46.
Meanwhile Choto remains in the lead on the run through St. Matthew's - the chase still over four minutes behind him. Across Beaver Dam Bridge, Carlos Lopez remains at the front of the chase group - is the lead at mile 33 and Choto - visibly under more duress - remains focused, a determined grimace on his face.
At Democracia choto is the first across the line and some four minutes later while the main peloton still has Benny's riders and the rest of riders seem content to sit back.
Carlos Lopez remains on the lead of the chase group but no other team seems willing to lend a helping a hand. Around mile 23 Choto is in time trial mode - hunched over his handle.
At Rockville - Choto is moving visibly slower and the official timekeeper says it is now three minutes thirty two seconds. The chase is obviously now disorganized.
At Hattieville - Choto seems weakened but remains in form, while the lead over this chase group is reported to be under three minutes - Mexican Donicetti Vasquez, Herman Requena, Richard Troyer and Gregory Lovell.
Around mile 14 and just about two minutes behind the runaway Choto the chase group of four is still trying to catch up. A round mile 12, Giovanni pushes on.
Around mile 11, the lead is now 1:56 and Giovanni will need all the refreshment he can get around mile 9 Giovanni searches for the extra energy.
Searching for the extra energy - and the blazing sun taking its tool, Choto bathes himself. At Burdon Canal Bridge with the time between a minute and a half and two minutes - Belizeans are hoping and praying that Choto can hold on - on his slender shoulder ride the hopes of a nation.
At Faber's Road Choto is barely hanging unto the lead. At the entrance to Belize -= Choto takes another station prize given in memory of Rhett Reyes.
The flags are waiting for him as he comes through the cemetery and into the city the support swelles for this lone Belizean rider. And at the roundabout, Choto only has a few more miles to go. Miles during which there are Belizeans there to cheer him along for every pedal stroke.
And he is left or tide into the city like a conqueror - the crowds thronging the sidewalk and on Princess Margaret Drive with only about a mile left, Choto hunches over his handles, visibly fatigued but still holding up.
Choto looks dead on his pedals. And at memorial park he raises his hands in victory, the first Belizean to do so in 6 years - and just makes it across the line before he drops forward on his handles - and incredible powerful ride.
Giovanni Choto, winner, 2012 Cross Country
"That is the prettiest thing. I just want to thank the team and thank God most of all for not allowing those cramps to catch me."
Jules Vasquez
"But how did you have the power to do this?"
Giovanni Choto, winner, 2012 Cross Country
"We were training hard for this race and the team knows that I was training hard. But I think that the team did a big work for not allowing anyone to bridge across to me. They did an excellent job."
Reporter
"What was your confidence level coming into this race?"
Giovanni Choto, winner, 2012 Cross Country
"Sometimes I felt like weak, but then I thought of the $15,000 that is on the line, so I want that."
And so did Brandon Cattouse who is the first in the sprint for second, Darnell Barrow is third and Byron Pope is fourth:
Brandon Cattouse, Second Place
"I am not really a solo man like Giovanni who can run from the start of the race to the finish like that. Maybe I can run the last 10-12 miles in the race and hold out the crowd. I knew if I came with them to sprint - I had the legs because I felt good in the whole race to win the sprint."
Jules Vasquez
"You have to be satisfied all the same with your second place winning."
Brandon Cattouse, Second Place
"Yes I am really satisfied this year. It was my best winning in the cross country. Last year I was 9th and this year I was 2nd. Next year I will try for the win."
Darnell Barrow, 3rd
"To be truthful I was disappointed because Team Santino had the most men in the peloton today. So it was very easy to organized and chase and have one man sitting for the sprint, but nobody didn't want to communicate together, so I had to try on my own."
Jules Vasquez
"So even with all that man power you all were unable to organize and bridge it?"
Darnell Barrow, 3rd
"We had the man power down. But we couldn't organize to catch Giovanni. I guess everybody was pleased with him running by himself being a Belizean at the front. I had to try to settle for second or third."
Jules Vasquez
"How did you think of Giovanni's ride?"
Darnell Barrow, 3rd
"He rode with heart today. Congrats to him, he rode very brave today. He was the man today, definitely."
Byron Pope, 4th
"We didn't expect him to go all the way but he just proves to us that he can do it. He is a journey man and he did it from Cayo coming back to Belize City all by himself. I really respect Giovanni Choto for that."
Jules Vasquez
"Now I know that your team mates had made some attacks to try and bridge the gap particularly around mile 10. But why were you all unable to get across?"
Byron Pope, 4th
"Outside of Hattieville, about 8 of us made a separation from the peloton and I try to get the guys to come along to try to organize a chase so we can get across to Giovanni Choto because he was in the striking distance but the guys didn't want to come through. The group just re-join and its was a lot of talks and stop and go. That's the reason why we couldn't catch Giovanni Choto."
Jules Vasquez
"You finish 4th, that's you best finish in the cross country yet. Are you pleased or disappointed with the outcome?"
Byron Pope, 4th
"I am not really pleased with the position because I came to win this race. I didn't come to finish 4th or 2nd and I will be back next year maybe even better to try to win this cross country."
But this year - to see three Belizeans on the podium, one with the garland around his neck - was enough for long denied cycling fans to have a moment they could relish. What will next year bring? We can only hope for a repeat.
And there's more coming up from Choto - as we had a one on one interview with him this morning. He'll tell us how he's been recovering and putting the victory into perspective.
Choto Says He Never Expected To Ride Into City Alone
At the top of the newscast you saw the news about Giovanni Choto - the 23 year old winner of the 84th. Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic.
He is one of five Choto brothers who entered the race - and remarkably, three of them finished in the top ten: Giovanni was first, Peter was ninth and Jose was tenth - Rafael and Daniel did not finish.
Still, they are the most dominant family in cycling - and Giovanni attributes it to their competitive training regimen.
They all live close to each other in Cayo and all train together. Choto told us that right now, though, training is the last thing on his mind, he's trying to recover from a race that even surprised him in how it played out.
Here's what he had to say when he sat down in our studio this morning:..
Jules Vasquez
"Since Saturday, what has happened?"
Giovanni Choto - 2012 Cross Country Champion
"Well, I mostly stay at home, and I feel tired. I want to recover."
Jules Vasquez
"What is your body feeling like right now?"
Giovanni Choto
"Well, I am slightly dehydrated, and a bit burnt out, but I'll recover by the weekend, hopefully."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this how you usually feel after a race, or was this an especially exhausting race for you?"
Giovanni Choto
"This one was really exhausting because I ran for too long. I don't usually do that."
Jules Vasquez
"I spoke to Mike Lewis, and he was saying that a large part of victory depends on luck. Success in the cross country depends on luck. Do you feel that you had luck with you on Saturday?"
Giovanni Choto
"Yes, I am sure that I had luck, and I thank God for it, and I am sure that my team worked hard to allow no one to bridge across to me because if someone came across to me - well, I was already out so. They would have let me go, so I just thank God for the luck, and to my team for working so hard for me."
Jules Vasquez
"Was that the game plan when you all broke away at Mile 7? Was that the plan for you to shoot ahead, or were your legs just feeling good?"
Giovanni Choto
"I was feeling good, and when the attacks happened, I ended up in the front, so I decided to take the chance because I had to go for some of the station prizes. You can't just make everything go away."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it your greatest ride ever?"
Giovanni Choto
"Yes, that is my biggest race. I think that it is the biggest race for any Belizean to win. And I just hope that next year, we come back and a Belizean wins it again. It doesn't have to be me, but a next Belizean. I already got it once, and I wanted It just once, so I am happy enough already."
Jules Vasquez
"When you were coming to Cayo, did you fear that just like what happened in 2006, you'll be caught."
Giovanni Choto
"Well, I thought that I would have been caught because It's too far. I wasn't expecting to reach the end. I went saying that I just hopefully, I reach the next station prize, all the way until I ended up reaching Belize. When I reached Belize - I don't know - I was happier than ever."
Jules Vasquez
"Certainly, on the way back, you saw the time gap going down. I remember by Hattieville, it was as little as 2 minutes, from as many as 7 minutes. Were you concerned then that was it, and you had a good race, and that they'll now catch you?"
Giovanni Choto
"That's exactly what I had in my mind. I thought that was it. When it went from 2 minutes, and in the 1 minute and change, I already thought that I was caught."
Jules Vasquez
"So, how do you explain the fact that you weren't ever caught? What could have gone wrong in the pack that - did they never really organize an effective chase against you?"
Giovanni Choto
"Maybe, they must have started slowing down, and the gap was already close. So, they must have wanted the next man chase to allow them to rest, reach fresh, and attack when they caught me. They may have slowed down, and I wasn't slowing down. I was just steady. So, they gave it to me, and I had to take it."
Jules Vasquez
"Explain what was your ride with Allen Castillo like in terms of him riding with you all the way back - he got all the way to Georgeville. Why did you eventually abandon him?"
Giovanni Choto
"Well, Allen and I were working evenly. I think that Allen's problem, because Allen is very strong, and I was glad that I got away with Allen because he was willing to work. I think his problem was that I didn't see him eating much. I was eating a lot and drinking a lot of fluids, and I didn't see him doing that. Cross Country gets you nervous, you get the break; he must have gotten the break and wasn't thinking about that. I did tell him to eat more, but maybe it was too late because that was more down the road."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you prepared now that you will be a national figure? Wherever you go, people will recognize you. They will shout for you; they think of you as a hero."
Giovanni Choto
"Well, I don't know. I will just continue to train for the rest of the races and train harder because I already see that we can win big races. So, we have to train harder and take it more seriously, and try to win the other races coming up."
Jules Vasquez
"Did you feel encourage by the fact that the first Belizean across the line gets $15,000?"
Giovanni Choto
"Well, I was thinking about that, but what really made me feel like pushing was when the big crowds of people on the road were cheering me on. It really makes you feel like pushing to reach that finishing line because you know that everybody wants a Belizean to win. I wanted a Belizean to win also, and it came my way, so I was happier."
Jules Vasquez
"You were the Belizean. So, did you get a little bit of goosebumps? I know that when I saw the race coming into the city on tape, and I saw you by the Cemetery Road, and you see all the people with the flags. Aat that point you must have been completely exhausted, but you got a little bit of energy from the crowd."
Giovanni Choto
"Yes, you get a little bit of energy from the crowd because your mind tries to push you more. Your muscles are already tired, but your mind pushes you more."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you have anything planned to do with your winnings?"
Giovanni Choto
"Well, I was building my house, and I am not finished yet. That's supposed to give me a big hand to help me finish my house. I'll help my mother, father, and my family to allow us to get along a little bit better."
And though he doesn't look a day over 16, the 23 year old Choto is married and has a two year old child. He works with his brother Jose in a bike shop in Santa Elena. They all got their start tiding from another Choto brother, Joaquin.
Choto finished the cross country in six hours, 16 minutes and 45 seconds, which is eight minutes slower than last years' time.
He was two minutes and 12 seconds ahead of the main pack.
Channel 7