Daniel Brent Thompson savored the victorious moment, paused andgave thanks to a former teammate after winning Saturday’s HumanPerformance Company Mississippi Grand Prix Road Race. The nearly80-mile bicycle race saw Thompson holding off challenges by RandyRacine of Shreveport and Frank Moak of Brookhaven.

The race, slated for cycle racers of all ages and levels ofskill, featured a 20-mile course, starting and ending at Heuck’sRetreat Baptist Church. Advanced racers competed in Category 1-2-3and went four laps. Josie Babin of Baton Rouge won the women’srace. Beau Rathborn won Category Four and Nathaniel Faulkenberrywon Category 5, which was reserved for beginners. John McLaughlinwon the Masters which included riders over 35 years of age.

“It was a great race,” said Thompson, a 40-year-old Meridianresident. “I want to thank all the sponsors, especially HumanPerformance, Bank of Brookhaven and Herring Gas.”

Thompson is sponsored by the Meridian Athletic Association. Hewas a member of the Herring Gas team six years ago and hecomplimented Moak. “Frank taught me how to race.”

Thompson took a 5-year sabbatical from competition to put hiswife through dental school. He has been racing for 18 years.

Racine, a 28-year-old rider from Shreveport, was making hisfirst entry in Category 1-2-3. He had been racing in Category4.

“The competition was hard,” said Racine. “It was twice as had aswhat I’m used to. My handlebars were loose so that made itinteresting.” He rides for Team La Sport.

Moak, the senior member and team captain of Herring Gas, hadserved as race coordinator. “The race went really well.”

Herring Gas and Memphis Motor Works had the most team memberspresent and that heightened the level of competition. Peter Knoopand Russell Griffin, both Memphis team members, finished fourth andfifth respectively. Jason Hurling of Southern Fire was sixth. TimRegan and Troy Porter of Herring Gas were seventh and 11threspectively.

“Memphis was here so there was a lot of in-fighting,” said Moak.”We were attacking and trying to force the pace.”

Babin won a photo finish in the hotly contested women’s race.Shontelle Gauthier of Lafayette, La., was second and Patricia Walshof St. Louis, Mo., was third. They were followed by Sandra Taulik,Claire Brown, Courtney Albine, Sherri McNeely, Mary Hodise,Michelle Ginser and Amy Berger.

“I won by just a teensy bit,” said Babin, showing about a halfinch measurement between her thumb and forefinger. “We had about 40miles to test each other. We had five gals drag racing at thefinish.

“Shontele is a very good sprinter and we are big rivals,” Babinpointed out. “She’ll be hungry for a win on Sunday,” in thecriterium at Natchez.

Babin, who has been racing 15 years, complimented race directorAaron Tiffie of Natchez and Moak for their efforts. “It’s a greatcourse and the people were friendly. They waved at us and they kepttheir dogs under control.”

In the Masters race, McLaughlin was followed by Joe Walsh, JamesSanders, Randy Legar, Larry Cantonvan, David Edwards, Chuck Moore,Brian Magendie, Rich Rasert and Joe Ingram.

In Category 4, Rathborn was followed by Brin Foote and MarshalStoute. In Category 5, Faulkenberry was followed by Jerald Simonand Guy Alvarez.

According to Tiffie, 110 riders participated in the event.

Richard Barker, CEO for HPC, said he was trying to buildinterest in cycle racing by providing sponsorship. “People don’trealize what bike racing is all about. That’s a pretty tough loopthey rode today. I don’t see how they were able to do fourlaps.”