The New Providence Amateur Cycling Association opened its 2006 cycling season this past Sunday, and fans couldn't have asked for a better finish to the opening race.

John Cox out-sprinted Johnny Hoyte and Tracy Sweeting coming down the final stretch to win by a mere three one hundredths of a second. Cox from Team JAR was first in the seven-lap 28-mile course in 1:15.59.53, Hoyte representing Team Freeport was second in 1:15.59.85, and Tracy Sweeting, also from Team JAR, was third in 1:16.00.10 in a very close finish. Barron 'Turbo' Musgrove, representing Team VMG, wasn't that far behind in fourth place in 1:16.04.25, and Kevin Richardson from the National Junior Squad and Team JAR, was right on Musgrove's heels in 1:16.04.63. Daryl Munnings from Team JAR was sixth in 1:16.07.53, Tim Huber was seventh in 1:16.10.85, James Nottage finished eighth, and Wayne Price finished ninth.

The race started and finished in front of Superclub Breezes' parking lot. Accordingly, the pace was extremely fast with numerous attacks from former national road champ out of Grand Bahama, Johnny Hoyte, Tracy 'Showtime' Sweeting, and National Time Trial/Track champion, Barron 'Turbo' Musgrove. The very fast pace continued for several laps.

The final lap saw Musgrove set another fast pace averaging 24-25 miles per hour. However, the final 400 meters came down to a sprint between Cox, Hoyte and Sweeting. Cox out-sprinted the duo to capture the top honours in the NPACA season opener. The race was staged only for adults and not the juniors. The juniors, along with adults, will compete this Sunday at the National Cycling Track at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center at 3 p.m. for the 2006 start of track racing.