Trinidad and Tobago’s Colin Wilson crowned himself in glory right here in Guyana yesterday when he won the fourth stage of the Ministry of Health (MOH)/Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) HIV/AIDS Awareness ‘Riding for Life 2’ from Supenaam to Charity and back to Suddie.
Local cyclist Junior Niles who was unfortunate not to have won the 2008 National Sports Commission (NSC) Independence three-stage cycle road race earlier this year, having lost out to Anguilla- based Guyanese Godfrey Pollydore by three seconds, finished second to Wilson and has taken over the lead position from defending champion Alonzo Greaves.
It was a hot pace as soon as the cyclists were sent on their way by Dr. Kavita Persaud, Manager of the Suddie Hospital, who was deputizing for Dr. Allison Browne, the Regional Health Officer of Region Two, with Wilson making a dash for the front 75 metres into the race.
He was joined by Niles and defending junior champion Christopher Holder shortly after as the cyclists approached the village of Fairfield and from there onwards, their lead kept increasing to as much as five minutes over the first peloton (main pack of cyclists in a race) which included Greaves, Tyrone Hamilton, Raymond Newton, John Charles, Robin Persaud and Geron Williams to name a few.
The trio worked in tandem at the front to ensure the first of two pelotons which were 400 metres behind them, was not able to reconnect as they passed through the villages of Huist D’eiren, Pomona, Suddie, Johanna Cecilia and Abram Zuil.
The pace at the front took on a different format when Niles took over, as it was evident that he intended to take over the leadership position in a race that carries a first prize of US$1,000 (G$200,000).
He led the trio through the villages of Haff-un-Aurich, Queenstown and Affiance with a burst of speed while increasing the lead over the first peloton.
Villages such as Bush Lot, Danielstown and Windsor Castle in the town of Anna Regina must have been a blur to Niles, Holder and Wilson as they gradually increased not only their lead, but their timings over their opponents.
When they approached Kitt Street in Charity to make the turn for the downward journey and exited at the market, the peloton led by Newton, Geron Williams, Hamilton, Robin Persaud and Anguilla’s Kris Pradel could have been seen entering Kitt Street.
But the trio would not give them the opportunity to reconnect and ‘making hay while the sun shone’, they pressed forward with a renewed energy, working in tandem to further increase their lead and Wilson crossed the finish line in a time of 2:30:54, with Niles and Holder behind.
Hamilton, Charles and Gavin Nero occupied the fourth to sixth positions, completing the 60 miles course 2:05 seconds behind the trio, Geron Williams and Warren Mc Kay finished 43 seconds behind Hamilton and company.
Greaves, third stage winner Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, Robin Persaud and Gordon Kennedy crossed the line a further 16 seconds behind Williams and Mc Kay, and a further 3:04 behind Wilson, Niles and Holder.
Prior to the start of the fourth stage, ‘Fishy’ Williams was presented with the winner’s red jersey after winning the third stage from Wales to Parika Friday morning.
Following his second place finish, Niles now holds a lead of 2:22 lead over Greaves going into today’s fifth and final stage, while Holder who also finished 3:12 seconds ahead of Geron Williams, now has a lead of 1:37 seconds and the retention of the Junior title in his sights.
The fifth and final stage will pedal off from Kara Kara in Linden and proceed to Homestretch Avenue this morning and barring the miraculous, Greaves can kiss goodbye to his hopes of retaining his title, as Niles is in a perfect position to snatch it.
