MCY&S/GCF Independence Three Stage Road Race

May 16, 2021 Sports

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Briton John leads seniors going into today’s final stage; Alex Mendes is top veteran so far; David Hicks takes junior crown; Susan Hamilton is queen of the road

By Franklin Wilson

After a hiatus of four years, Guyana’s most prestigious multiple stage road race, the Independence Three-Stage race made an impressive return yesterday with the first of the three stages completed in contrasting styles.
The event is organised by the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) with full sponsorship form the Government of Guyana though the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport. The National Covid-19 Task Force gave the thumbs up for the race with all protocols being followed by the Federation.
Excellent work by Traffic Ranks of the Guyana Police Force in Berbice, East Coast and the City has combined to ensure a smooth race so far.
Yesterday morning in overcast conditions, interspersed with light rainfall and in some instances muddy and slippery roadways in the first stage, the cyclists, numbering 48 (male and female, old and young) exhibited admirable determination and excellent camaraderie in a competitive mode to earn the spoils which will serve them in good stead going into today’s final stage from Linden to the City.
Briton John (United We Stand Cycle Club) won the first stage from Corriverton Police Station to Main Street, New Amsterdam (45-miles) but the second stage (Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue – 58 miles) went to USA based Raynauth ‘Obeah Man’ Jeffrey (Team Foundation) who won an exciting sprint home from Jamaul John (Team Foundation), Paul De Nobrega (Team Evolution), Briton John, Alex Mendes and Christopher Griffith (Team Evolution) in that order.
The first stage was won by Briton John in 1:44:37 followed by Adealie Hodge of Continental Cycle Club in 1:44:44, Paul De Nobrega 1:44:47, Jamual John 1:44:49, Christopher Griffith 1:45:04, Mario Washington (Flying Ace Cycle Club) 1:45:08, Curtis Dey (Team Evolution) 1:45:08.
The first to third place finishers from each stage in the senior category will be rewarded with $15,000, $12,000 and $10,000, respectively while the overall prizes for the top six positions are as follows; $70,000, $60,000, $50,000, $40,000, $35,000 and $25,000. There are also a total of 26 sprint prizes to be won at $1500, each.
The top four veterans overall would be rewarded as follows; $50,000, $35,000, $25,000 and $15,000. Going into the final stage, the veteran’s class is being led by Alex Mendes (Roraima Bikers Club), Stephen Fernandes (Team Evolution), Paul Choo Wee-Nam (Team Alanis) with four riders battling for the fourth spot, Seguan Hubbard, Kwame Ridley, Jaikarran Sukhai and Ralph Williams.
Up to press time, the only confirmed times were those of the first stage for the seniors, the GCF up to press time was working on the tabulations for all the categories in order for competitors in the senior and veteran categories to be aware before the start of the final stage.
However, Kaieteur Sport was able to verify that the overall leader is Briton John.
The female and junior segments of the race have been completed with Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club’s Susan Hamilton who has been riding for just over one year now, winning the top prize of $50,000 from Berbicians Shenika Teixeira and 13 year-old debutant Aneisha Crandon. Teixeira will pocket $35,000, while Crandon will receive $25,000.
The females rode the entire first stage but the second stage for them commenced at the Mahaica Bridge and concluded at Carifesta Avenue. Their times would be confirmed for tomorrow’s edition.
The junior competitors who were only required to ride the first two stages did excellent also with David Hicks (We Stand United Cycle Club) who rebounded to win the second stage handsomely taking the overall prize of $50,000 ahead of first stage winner, Mario Washington will receive $35,000 and Aaron Newton (We Stand United Cycle Club) placing third and will pocket $25,000. Riding well to end fourth overall was 13 year-old Alex Leung (We Stand United Cycle Club).
Today’s final stage will pedal off from Kara Kara in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden from 07:30hrs to finish outside of Banks DIH, Thirst Park when the senior and veteran overall winners would be crowned apart from the respective winners of the stage.
Meanwhile, President of the GCF, Linden Dowridge has disclosed that due to the covid-19 pandemic and the need to follow all protocols and guidelines, no presentation would take place today. Rather, cyclists would be receiving their prizes at the National Sports Commission Office, Homestretch Avenue, tomorrow.

 

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