Warren `Forty’ McKay overcame the inclement weather and a field of competitive cyclists to retain his title when the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) held its annual National Road Race championships yesterday.

Mc Kay won the event which started outside the Ocean View International Hotel in a time of one hour, 47 minutes and 23 seconds.

In second position was Jude Bentley while Enzo Matthews placed third.

With the rain bearing down, McKay held on to his minimal lead over Bentley to secure the top spot after the senior cyclists had turned back at DeHoop, Mahaicony.

Matthews initially pulled away from the pack with McKay and Bentley but fell at Mahaica, suffering abrasions to his left arm.

He recovered well to place third although he did not have enough to haul himself back into contention for the first place.

The junior category, which turned back at the Mahaica Old Road, ended in a near photo finish between Christopher Holder and rising star, Paul DeNobrega. The pair crossed the finish line neck and neck leaving onlookers wondering who had won.

It was declared afterwards, however, that Holder crossed first and he is the new junior road race champion.

Holder’s winning time was one hour, 51 minutes and 47 seconds (1.51.47).

Placing third was Rastaff O’Selmo who led the second bunch of cyclists across the finish line shortly afterwards.

The veteran category turned back at the Belfield Car Park and was dominated once again by last year’s champion, Gary Benjamin.

Benjamin  led a sprinting five-man first pack across the white line in a time of one hour, 21 minutes and 44 seconds (1.21.44).

Second place finisher Lyndon Blackman showed good spirit at the end as he stayed on Benjamin’s rear wheel in an attempt to snatch first, but he took too long to begin his sprint and had to settle for second place.

He was closely followed by third place finisher Ian Jackson.

The female category which took the same route as the veterans had its fair share of cycling action as Hazina Barratt out-sprinted defending champion Marica Dick to comfortably take first place in a time of one hour, 28 minutes and 53 seconds (1.28.53) to become the new female champion.

Naomi Singh found herself trailing the second place finisher, Dick by some distance and eventually finished in third place.

At the end of the event, National cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed, congratulated the successful participants and thanked the sponsors of the event.

Medals were presented to the top three finishers in each category and championship cycling tops were presented to the winners.