Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds (4hr:00m:35s) will roll into the hills of Linden this morning for the final leg of the Independence Three-Stage road race with the yellow jersey and a one-second lead on teammate Michael Anthony.
Raul Leal (4hr:00m:41s), another teammate, lurks just four seconds off the lead as the
event is gearing up to be an all Team Evolution podium finish heading into today’s finale.
US-based Geron Williams who placed second overall last year to Barbadian Darren Matthews, is four minutes and eight seconds adrift (4hr:04m:43s). Barring any hiccups, Team Evolution is destined for a podium sweep.
Team Alanis’ Alonzo Ambrose (4hr: 05m: 47s) and Ian Jackson (4hr: 06m: 07s) are far behind currently occupying the fifth and sixth place positions.
Hinds’ consistency
The 25-year-old wheelsman from Linden finished fifth in the initial stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam which was won by Ambrose and cruised in second behind Anthony (sixth in first stage) to become the virtual leader.
Quick Results
First stage 46 miles-Corriverton to New Amsterdam
Alonzo Ambrose 1:41:14s
Ian Jackson 1:41:17s
Akeem Arthur 1:41:19s
Stephen Fernandes 1:41:21s
Orville Hinds 1:41:51s
Michael Anthony 1:41:55s
Marlon Williams 1:41:55s
Raul Leal 1:41:55s
Akeem Wilkinson 1:41:55s
Paul DeNobrega 1:41:55s
Second stage 60 miles-Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue
Michael Anthony 2:18:41s
Orville Hinds 2:18:44s
Raul Leal 2:18:46s
Geron Williams 2:22:48s
First stage
There were several unsuccessful mini breaks after the 43 starters were sent on the way. However, the top four finishers in the stage broke away from the peloton at the village of Whim and never relinquished their lead. With about 200m from the line, Ambrose, the superior sprinter of the group, changed gears to claim the stage win.
Second stage
As is customary with second stages, Junior Niles was a fast starter. He led a break that included his Team Coco’s teammate, Jamal John, Williams and Anthony.
Anthony’s teammates Hinds and Leal joined the four-man unit at Abary and then dominated from there.
The three Evolution teammates changed gears and in a flash peeled off the remnants of the initial lead pack. Despite the valiant chasing of Williams and others, the tireless trio was able to open up a comfortable four-minute cushion heading into Region 10.
Notes: The all local event is moving along much faster than last year’s race which attracted many foreign cyclists. The winning times for the first two stages in 2014 were 1hr: 44m: 16s and 2hr: 22m: 52s respectively.
Action starts today at 08:00hrs in Kara Kara, Linden.
Today’s stage promises to be thrilling.
