The late legendary cyclist, John Thomas, whose Memorial Cycle Race in Anguilla is now in its nineteenth year, reached a historic milestone when a 21-year-old Anguillian cyclist, Hasanni Hennis, of Blowing Point, was a big winner for the first time. It was a convincing win for him when, in the July 15, 2018 race, he out-distanced his nearest rivals by some four miles.
Hennis was among 34 cyclists in the competition from across the Caribbean. In taking first place he was followed by Mickael Clarico of St. Martin in second place; Robert Marsh from Antigua, a former winner of the race, this time placed third; Russel Elka from Barbados came fourth; and Danny Laud from Anguilla, was fifth. They were the top five in the Elite Category.
Speaking while covered with the Official Flag of Anguilla, Hennis said he had been a cyclist in the John T. Memorial Race for the past three years. “I dropped out the first year as I was not feeling well; the second year I came 4th; and this year I won,” he told The Anguillian. “I think what helped to contribute to my success was that during the past week I went to Martinique for a tour for some training and fitness.”
Asked about his future cycling, he replied: “From August 3-13, I will be on a tour to Guadeloupe and that should be a good race leading up to a big boys’ event.” He hopes that he will eventually reach the professional level in cycling. In the meantime, he was delighted that he was the first Anguillian to win the John T. Memorial Race. “I feel really, really good but emotional,” he added. Hasani works with his father, Bryan Hennis, doing sheet rock installation and other general trades.
Deputy Director of Sports, Mr. Rollins Richardson, commented: “I would definitely like to congratulate Hasani. Coming back from the Commonwealth Games in April, in Australia, where he rode very well for Anguilla, he has now won brought home the victory in the John T. Memorial Race. This proves that he is definitely one of the best in the region. Congratulations to Hasani for a great performance.
“It will definitely take him to higher heights. We are hoping that for the next Commonwealth Games he can go to England to do the necessary training early, and that he can also enter other competitions in Europe.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism and Sports, had this to say: “We were just talking about what Hasani’s performance really means for the development of our youth here in Anguilla. We are so very proud of him not only because of the fact that he won this race, but for the potential success not just for him, but for others who have the opportunities available to them. Our future looks very good.”
Derek Carty, an official of the John T. Memorial Race, commented: “Right now, as you can see, I am smiling from ear to ear because this is the first time that Anguilla has been successful in the nineteen years we hosted the race. Hasani was confident; he was determined and focused. He indicated to us that he didn’t care who they brought from anywhere – this John T. Race was his. I guess when you put in the hard work, you reap the results. I am glad that Hasani won because other aspiring Anguillians can look at his performance and say that ‘we, too, have a chance to win the John T. Memorial Cycle Race.’”
Percy Thomas, a well-known motor-cyclist who also was a competitive bicycle rider, recalled that the John T. Memorial Race was started by Evan Gumbs, Avery Thomas, Ivor Lake and himself. “We have seen it gone from good to bad; and from good to bad again – but today I must say that I am happy that an Anguillian has finally won the race. We came close with Chris Pradel and Roni Bryan, but we never won the John T. Race, so this is the first time that we won it.”
Mr. Thomas added: “I hope that the Government of Anguilla will do something to help our youngsters. We train them so that they could get on the world’s stage. Shara Proctor had to go to England to be on the world stage. We have young Zharnel and I am more than sure that, in order for him to get on the world stage, he, too, has had to join the Great Britain team. We now have our Queen, Miss Anguilla, Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers. She was trained in Anguilla but to get on the world stage she also had to go to England. It is about time that we have something in place to help our youngsters. The British is not giving us anything to help them but as soon as they can perform in the outside world, they have to join the Great Britain team.”
