On the back of recent sublime form, Team Alanis’ Paul DeNobrega continued his victorious ways on Sunday.
After winning the 50-mile Seven Seas Road race at West Demerara last Sunday, DeNobrega took his talents to the Ancient County and literally sprinted off with the top honours of the Ballot Box Martyrs event.
The 20-year old wheelsman showed tenacity and grit throughout the gruelling, sun baked 55-mile trek then displayed his sprinting ability on the home straight by surging ahead of Alanzo Greaves (2nd) and Chris Holder (3rd).
“The race was tough” said DeNobrega. “We really had to work hard and the heat didn’t help but I was confident winning because my form is good …now since I’m getting to train better.”
DeNobrega won the Chris Jagdeo-sponsored event in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 50 seconds.
The race started in front of Freedom House in New Amsterdam but minutes later, Greaves, junior riders, Michael Anthony, Shaquel Agard and Team Coco’s Junior Niles and Hamza Eastman established a five-man break at the Canje Bridge.
This quintet worked in tandem and managed
to hold off the peloton until Marlon Williams, Robin Persaud, Albert Philander and Alonzo Ambrose connected with them at No. 36 village.
At Eversham however, Agard, Anthony, Niles and Greaves attacked leaving the rest behind.
Meanwhile, a chase pack of DeNobrega, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam, Holder and five others were in hot pursuit.
The eight-man peloton then connected with the leaders at No. 48 village.
In No. 63 village DeNobrega tried to stage a breakaway but was picked up by Anthony, Greaves, Agard, Eastman, Holder with Paul Choo-Wee-Nam just behind.
The seven-man strong unit then journeyed together until about 300m from the finish.
As expected, a fierce sprint ensued but DeNobrega had enough left in the tank to hold off Greaves and Holder by two bike lengths.
The annual event attracted 40 starters. It is one of the activities used to commemorate the death anniversary of Parmanand Bholanauth and Jagan Ramessar who were shot and killed at No. 63 Village 41 years ago.
Quick Results
Top Seniors
Paul DeNobrega
Alanzo Greaves
Chris Holder
Michael Anthony
Hamza Eastman
Paul Choo-Wee-Nam
Juniors
Michael Anthony
Shaquel Agard
Alonzo Ambrose
Veterans
Junior Niles
Jaikarran Sookhai
Linden Blackman
Mountain Bike
Ozia McAlley
Julio Melville
Emmanuel Gayraul
Female
Marica Dick
Veteran Over-60
Monty Parris
