Greg Lovell Wins Weekend Warriors New Year’s Race

On Friday, you heard from Troy Gabb Jr., chairman of the Weekend Warriors Cycling Club, and race winner Henry Moreira, they promised an electrifying showdown on the Philip Goldson Highway for the club’s fourteenth annual New Year’s Race. And let’s be honest, these big promises don’t always deliver. But this time? Cycling fans who packed the entrance of SanCas Plaza got exactly what they came for, a heart-pounding, seven-rider sprint over the final five hundred meters to the finish line. Shane Williams was there and brings us the action.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting…

Seventy-four riders, split into three age categories, lined up in front of the Orange Walk Town Hall for the kickoff of one of the most anticipated events on the Weekend Warriors Cycling Club calendar, their first big race of the year. To win this event, it requires riding an average speed of around twenty-six miles per hour for a little over fifty-three miles. And though a good portion of this race had to go through a chilly head wind, the temperature was in the high eighties and the day was cloudy, perfect racing weather. The first attack by Adrian Williams was countered by Sherwin Thomas of Running Rebels to take the first station prize in Carmelita Village.

 

Andrew Ordonez, Race Broadcaster

“A small break folks, already ruction and destruction. Already the conductor is putting out who haven’t paid. There is Sherwin Thomas, a.k.a. Pest as he closes the gap to – straight pass Adrian Williams. The pest straight pass Adrian Williams. The lead rider at this moment is Sherwin Pest Thomas.”

 

But just like Henry “Henno” Moreira predicted, the usual names made their way to the front by mile forty-five. And for him to have a chance to win he would have to punish the sprinters early with a bone shaking pace. Now the war has started! Look at it. Henry Moreira up front along with Elwyn Hughes, D Wade, Brandon Cattouse, Tyreek Flowers.

 

Henry Moreira, 2025 Winner

“Most ah the time da  like one set individual, most of the time, usually be in the front of the race anyway. So it’s not – I could pace. My really weakness da that sprinting, right? So most of the time I have to try make sure I get out there first and try to take charge, right?”

 

Moreira, along with riders like Bob Gabourel, tried to pull off the same strategy. At one point, the race hit speeds of up to 32 miles per hour just outside Crooked Tree. Their goal was to break the premier sprinters like Gregory Lovell and Brandon Cattouse who they did not want to bring near the finish line. But the seasoned riders saw it coming and knew exactly how to respond.

 

Gregory Lovell, First Place, Group A

“What I was watching the the players in the race Bob, Brandon. Along with other new guys that is riding to know, I just try to stay up front because I don’t have a team to help me, so I just try to be consistent and try stay the guys that I know can win.”

 

Brandon Cattouse, Second Place, Group A

“I know Greg da the fastest man beside me, but I know that Bob wa drop wa long attack from far. So I the wait for that move there so that I could try counter off of that.”

 

Henry Moreira

“Haulova Bridge, I get over Haulova Bridge first and I gone and I think Charlie follow me. But like I said, everybody weh the follow me like they expect I fi carry them, yo dig what I’m saying? So at the end of the day, everybody done know I da one of the strongest out there, so everybody expect I fi do ninety percent of work and deh fi do ten percent. But I mean if you wanna go with me, yo have to be fair too. Yo have to pull your one weight too.”

 

All that strategy and gamesmanship came down to this exciting finish near San Cas Plaza. Brandon Cattouse tells us how it all unfolded, in his own words. I counter off of the move, but Greg come and pull up side of me. And me and he the jostle for the finish and the man have lee more power than me right now. Ah noh wa tell no lie. Respect to Greg. Congrats to the man pan the win and yo know ih beat me today fair and square and knock me off, I get second. And I think Henno or Bob get third.

 

Kaya Cattouse dominated the female category, and even outpaced several of her male competitors. Both Kaya and Greg are no strangers to big wins in elite races, but the Weekend Warriors series offers something they’ve been craving for a while. For Greg, it’s all about friendship and camaraderie. For Kaya, it’s the fierce competition that keeps her sharp and ready for the racing classics.

 

Gregory Lovell

“It feel a little different. You feel a little better because in this category Weekend Warriors the guys have more fun. They have attractive station prizes. Thanks to Shell for sponsor the race. It was a very good experience to ride with the guys at my level.”

 

Kaya Cattouse, First Place, Women

“ For me it’s definitely a group of guys where I could race with and be competitive with. And it’s definitely preparation and training for me for my female races. These guys train just as hard as the elite for the most part, but the caliber of racing in terms of the speed just wa little bit lower. So it definitely works for female fi get we up to par to what we’re supposed to be. Or where we would a want be What would I wanna be for International competition.”

 

Lovell received five hundred dollars for winning the New Years race. The event was sponsored by Shell and cash prizes were awarded to the top ten finishers in group A. Kaya Cattouse received one hundred dollars for winning the women category. Shane Williams for News Five.