If one was to ask Andy Mapple his reason for returning to the country, he would simply say, "to win the Tour of The Bahamas."
After a seventh overall placing, in the Masters 40-50 division last year, Mapple was determined to come back and capture the division's title. He knew he would have his hands full, in the stacked field of competitors, so his strategy was to head into Day Two of the 9th Annual Tour of The Bahamas with a comfortable lead, which meant winning the Time Trial and the Mile Circuit Race, both held on Saturday. Mapple's goal was then to be in the "thick of the race" on Sunday, to ride off to victory.
In yesterday's road race, which was 57 miles, Bahamian resident Lee Farmer crossed the finish line first but Mapple's time of two hours, 25 minutes and 27 seconds (2:25:27) was good enough to give him the overall title. Mapple, who represented Florida Velo, finished with a combined time of 3:40.22. Darren Fuller of BMC Hincapie Cycling was second overall, in 3:40.40, and Larry Stickler from Kentucky Flyers Cycling, finished third overall, in 3:40.57.
In the Pros 1-2 category, Ty Magner, from BMC Racing, finished first overall, in 4:32.52, Joshua Frick from DC Velo Ltd. was second overall, in 4:32.56, and Frank Travieso from Team Cocos finished third overall, in 4:33.00.
In category 3, the same category in which 16-year old Bahamian youngster Jay Major participated in, Roslan Rivera, unattached, was the overall winner, in 4:33.26. Adam Perez, who also competed unattached, was second, in 4:33.27, and Foren Jensen from Century Road Club finished third overall, in 4:33.37. As for Bahamian Olympic hopeful Major, he finished third in the 42-mile circuit road race on Saturday with an average speed of 28.4 kilometers per hour.
In category 4-5, Jamaican Leighton Anderson was the overall winner, in 4:03.56, fellow Jamaican Oshane Williams, just 18-years-old, was second overall, in 4:03.59, and Louis LeClerc from North Georgia Cycling finished third overall, in 4:04.05. In the Masters 50-plus division, Mark Stein from Florida Velo was the overall winner, in 3:41.44, Paul Curley from Mid State Cycling Club finished second overall, in 3:41.58, and Martin Bates, who competed unattached, was third overall, in 3:44.37.
No overall results were available for the juniors and women up to press time, but it was understood that Bahamian Anthony 'Biggie' Colebrooke performed exceptionally well in the Juniors 15-17 category.
"This year there were a lot of teams and a lot of strategic planning going on," said masters 40-50 overall winner Mapple.
"One of the teams, the BMC or the Texas Road House, threw a curve ball on the first lap sending two guys up the road. They were able to get away for a minute and a half at one stage, which made my team and myself dig even deeper so we could be in contention, back within 17 seconds.
"Today, I think was one of the hardest races that I have ever done, and my teammates without those guys there was no way that I would be able to come back and hold on to the lead that we had going on today. I am thankful to them. Overall, the entire event was fun. I love coming here. I came here last year and enjoyed it.
"I am relatively new to racing, this is my third season. Last time I came here I think I came in seventh so my overall goal when I left last year was to try and come back and win it this year. I feel great knowing that I did."
Devising a strategy plan of their own was Team Cocos of Miami, Florida. The four-member team that competed in the Pros 1-2 division, relied on sprinter Yosmani Pol Rodriguez to carry the load for the team. He did not disappoint them. In the 76-mile course, held yesterday morning, Rodriguez clocked 2:53:50. Frank Travieso and Kyle Wamsley were second and third respectively. Winning the category 3 division 76-mile course was Rivera, in 2:53:52.
Rodriguez said, "The team had a strategy for the race, we targeted the classification and we tried to get in front of Frank Travieso and break away.
"We didn't succeed on the break away so we took the second choice during the race and that was to win one more stage. Since I am a sprinter I took charge and managed to do so. I really appreciate the effort by my team yesterday and today during the races. I was feeling comfortable knowing that they were there. We tried to be in the general classification as a team in the top three and of course try to win as many stations as we could. We made it to first place, not in the Time Trials, but in the two other stages we were successful and I am happy about it.
"It is pleasing and beautiful weather in The Bahamas. It wasn't too hot and I am thankful that it didn't rain. It wasn't cold and not windy so it is a fantastic weekend to host a race and ride in the tour."
While Rodriguez loved the weather Oshane Williams, winner of the men's 4-5 category road race on Sunday, didn't. The Jamaican national said it was too hot, and as a result persons in the field had a hard time staying hydrated throughout the 57-mile course that was mapped out for that division. Williams who decided to stay behind teammate Leighton Anderson for most of the race, turned things up just seconds away from the finish line to nip Anderson for the win. His time was 2:40:40, a mere one, one hundredth of a second ahead of Anderson. Third place went to Thomas Seier and Christopher Cavallaro was fourth. Anderson was the overall winner in that category, while Williams settled for second.
Kathleen Billington was the first female in the Women's 1-3 category. She completed the course in 2:40:41. Her time was better than some of the male cyclists who set out to ride the 57-mile course. Coming in second, behind Billington, was Alicia Kaye. Marilyn Cullinane and Amy Phillips were third and fourth respectively.
Competitors in the Women's 4, masters 40 and 50-plus had to complete 57 miles as well. The top finisher for the women was Catherine Davis, 2:40:43. James Nottage had a final course time of 2:41:12.

The Ingraham administration would introduce catastrophic health insurance, extend unemployment benefits and construct new wings at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) if re-elected to office, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced last night.
Speaking at an event at the Wyndham Nassau Resort to formally introduce the Free National Movement's (FNM) 38 candidates for the upcoming general election, Ingraham said these are some of the promises contained in the party's 2012 Manifesto.
Ingraham said his government would construct a new maternal/child health wing and new emergency department at PMH; double National Insurance unemployment benefits from 13 to 26 weeks and expand the Prescription Drug Plan to cover all workers and their families.
He also revealed his government's plans to create a youth volunteer corps.
The scheme would be geared towards youths aged 18 to 25 who would be recruited on a volunteer basis to work in homework centers, senior citizens homes, centers for the disabled and poor while earning money for college or to start a business.
The FNM administration would also move several government ministries from New Providence to Grand Bahama, including the ministries of Local Government and Maritime Affairs, Ingraham said.
He added that his government would create more policies to support job creation in the private sector.
Ingraham said the government would train more Bahamians so they can take on posts currently filled by foreigners, due to the void of trained Bahamians in certain areas.
The prime minister did not divulge new details on his administration's plans for fighting crime. However, the government late last year brought a package of crime bills that are now in effect.
Ingraham said last night his government would enhance its focus on the root causes of crime with additional focus placed on creating more crime-prevention initiatives.
The FNM also plans to construct more seaside parks and recreational spaces and expand housing developments for low to middle income families, Ingraham said.
He also pledged to accelerate the grant of Crown lands to Bahamians, especially in the Family Islands, for the construction of primary residences and for new business or expansion of existing businesses.
Manifesto 2012 is the FNM's blueprint for the next five years.
 

Christie
As he spoke to supporters who crowded the hotel's ballroom, Ingraham warned voters not to give Perry Christie another chance to govern the country.
The prime minister said the Progressive Liberal Party, which he painted as a scandal-ridden party with a waffling leader at its helm, is desperate to get back "into the cookie jar".
Ingraham said during its five years in office his party has been virtually free of embarrassments.
While Christie said last week Ingraham should beg forgiveness from the Bahamian people for what the PLP called neglect, the prime minister said last night that it is Christie who should beg forgiveness from the Bahamian people for what Ingraham called the PLP's failures and empty promises during its five-year term.
"Over the past five years we have delivered clean and scandal-free government," Ingraham said.
"Perry Christie cannot match this claim.
"The reason they keep cussing me and cussing the FNM is very simple.  We are standing in the way of them raiding the cookie jar, selling-off Bahamian land, and wheeling and dealing."
He also took a swipe at the newly formed third party, the Democratic National Alliance, headed by former FNM Cabinet Minister Branville McCartney.
"As for the other one-man party, I want to simply say this, in order to become prime minister, you need two things. First of all you got to be elected to the House of Assembly, and secondly you have to have a party that had the majority of seats in the House. Without those two things you can do what you like on TV every night, [there's] nothing happening for you. You might as well go chill," he said.
Ingraham said the team he presented last night, a mix of 17 new faces and 21 experienced politicians, is the best group to steer the country forward.

A guest at a hotel on Paradise Island was sexually assaulted as she slept in her room on Saturday morning, The Nassau Guardian has learned.
Superintendent Stephen Dean, the commanding officer of the Central Division, confirmed that detectives are investigating a rape complaint on Paradise Island.  However, he was unable to provide further details.
According to well-placed sources, the alleged victim, who is a Bahamian law enforcement officer, rented the room along with three other female friends.
The women were celebrating a birthday.  The Guardian understands that the women went to a nightclub on Paradise Island to celebrate and returned to their room around 4 a.m.
One of the women went out to get something to eat, while the others turned in for the night.
When she returned, she met a man in bed with her friend. The man fled the room following a brief confrontation.

Vowing that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) will "put Bahamians back to work", PLP Deputy Leader Philip Brave Davis said in Grand Bahama on Friday night the party would "raise work permit fees for jobs Bahamians are qualified to perform" if it wins the next general election.
"We are ready to revive Grand Bahama," said Davis during his party's formal introduction of its Grand Bahama candidates at Our Lucaya Resort.
Davis said the PLP would establish a program to identify Bahamians who are qualified to fill jobs when work permits that are now granted expire.
He added, "We will significantly cut taxes at the airport and harbor.
"The PLP will reduce hotel taxes by 50 percent for a period of five years for existing hotels and 10 years for new hotels in Grand Bahama.
"You can hold us to that. We are serious about bringing about a rebirth on this island."
Davis also said a PLP government would promote local entertainment on Grand Bahama.
"We will provide incentives and technical support for restaurants, nightclubs, local craft markets and support to develop bed and breakfast lodgings," he said.  "We will awaken this magic city."
Davis said a PLP government would also provide incentives and subsidies for airlift of tourists to Grand Bahama, including targeted scheduled flights and charters for the provision of airlift for seasonal and event-related tourism.
"Your next PLP government will upgrade the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, to improve promotion of Grand Bahama in international markets," he said, vowing that, "It is Grand Bahama's time."
Davis also announced that the PLP is committed to extending duty free concessions to East and West Grand Bahama.
He said Grand Bahamians must decide whether they want to continue on the FNM's path of "job losses and failed opportunities".
"The better choice is the PLP with plans for job creation and empowerment that will put you first," he said.
The PLP currently has only one MP in Grand Bahama, Obie Wilchcombe, who represents West End and Bimini.
The other five existing seats in Grand Bahama are all held by the Free National Movement.
After the next election, there will be five seats in Grand Bahama, as a result of boundary cuts.
The PLP will again run Wilchcombe in West End and Bimini.
It will also run Julian Russell (Central Grand Bahama); Tanisha Tynes (East Grand Bahama); Gregory Moss (Marco City) and Michael Darville (Pineridge).
Davis urged Grand Bahamians "to come home with the PLP".
"Come with us as we set a course to put Bahamians back to work," he said.
"Come with us as we point young Bahamians into an era of prosperity and growth.
"Come with us as we build our nation and restore opportunity to the thousands of our countrymen and women."