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Oscar Quiroz did it last year - but, there would be no Belizean hero this year: we were back to heartbreak, but also history - with a new record and the first Honduran to wear the garland. With the help of Andrew Ordonez's live commentary, Jules Vasquez has this report:

Former champions Justin Williams, Oscar Quiroz and Bill Elliston lined up at the start of the race to lead the 117 riders - 20 of them foreign - on the 144 mile journey.

And from early on, one name would stand out:

Announcer
"It's Luis Lopez all alone."

Number 79 Luis Lopez - the Honduran's name echoed through Belize all of Saturday morning from mile 36 on the way to Cayo. It was one of those early kamikaze attacks that seemed designed to capture station prices not the garland, and Lopez was caught by the time he reached Belmopan.

Lopez was among the dozen or so foreign riders who drove an exciting race of many breakaways, re-groupings and attacks.

Lopez was back in the lead group by mile 30 on the way back when Carlton Robinson and Jaslyn Chavarria Juniour pulled into that lead group at mile 12 - they were Belize's only hope.

Joslyn Junior shared a Coke with Lopez, while Guatemalan Alex Julajuj pushed Carlton Robinson unto the pace.

Coming down to the last few miles, it would be Abner Maxwell, Carlton Robinson and Juluajuj in the lead.

The foreign riders staged numerous attacks with Carlton Robinson responding time - and time again - they had him like a yo-yo.

Announcer
"There's an attack again by Luis Lopez. Carlton Robinson answering the call."

And entering the city - there was one Belizean - and three foreign riders

Announcer
"There goes Luis Lopez as he makes his way around the roindabout. The whole nation is cheering for Carlton Robinson. Carlton Robinson has been dropped."

After a heroic ride - Robinson could not keep up with the onslaught of attacks - and fell back.

And coming around the flag monument, three foreign riders, an American, a Guatemalans, and a Honduran.

All Belizean fans could hope for was that it would not be the Guatemalan - and by the time they came around to SJC, it was clear that they could not keep up and the Honduran would coast to victory - a first for any Honduran int he 94 years of the race."

Announcer
"This guy is a madman, he's a powerhouse and he is riding towards victory."

And he crossed the line all alone basting the record that had stood for 16 years.

Alex Julajjuj finished second for the second time and Abner Maxwell finished third.

At fourth, Robinson was the first Belizean to finish.

Carlton Robinson, 4th Place
"Really hard race. I was outnumbered. I really tried to keep it together. I know if it had come a little closer I could have won in a sprint, but I guess the guys they figured that I am very fast, so they started to attack and attack and I couldnt go anymore."

Reporter
"Despite the position that you came in, how do you feel for you today to be the first Belizean to cross the finish line at the 94th Cross Country Cycling Classic."

Carlton Robinson, 4th Place
"It feels amazing, but I really wanted the win, but I have to be happy with this result 4th."

Luis Lopez, 1st Place
"The strategy was to give it all I had, don't hold back anything, I knew that I was riding unaccompanied, and I know that there were so many riders, but I know that if a tough race is posed possibly at the end there would be a small window, a small difference, and a good final would result."

Alex Rony Julajuj, 2nd Place
"I am content to be second place in a very tough race of hundreds of kilometers."

Abner Maxwell, 3rd Place
"It was a good day. I mean I was in a break with very strong riders and the team worked really well together. It was definately hot towards the end, aboit 9am it started turning on and honestly I can't complain. The team did really well today. They gave me water and ice and they kept me well fuelled and they got me in. I made the lasy break. It was amazing. Everyone is strong and polite. There was definately some weird racing tactics, some stuff thats different from the US, but I can't complain, it was amazing."

The new record of five hours, thirty nine minutes and 25 seconds (5:39:25) bested the 2008 record by 47 SECONDS.