After two days and 171 miles of intense racing on the roadways, Orville Hinds (Team Evolution) emerged winner of the 33rd annual NSC Independence Three-Stage Road Race yesterday.
While Hinds played the starring role, it was the Team Evolution show. His club mates, Michael Anthony and Raul Leal preserved their four-minute overnight lead on the peloton to complete a podium sweep.
Their other standout teammate, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams finished sixth overall as the outfit had four wheelsmen in the top six.
Hinds, 25, did not win a stage, but was consistent throughout the grueling event and finished in six hours, 50 minutes and 37 seconds.
“It’s a great feeling to know that I won this event after so many years” Hinds said yesterday. “I credit my teammates for the support and I’m looking forward to us winning the five-stage as well.”
US based Geron Williams placed fourth while first stage winner Alonzo Ambrose was fifth overall.
Quick Results (Overall)
Orville Hinds 6hr: 50m: 37s (Team Evolution)
Michael Anthony 6:52:26 (Team Evolution)
Raul Leal 6:52:31 (Team Evolution)
Geron Williams 6:54:59 (Continental)
Alonzo Ambrose 6:57:16 (Team Alanis)
Marlon Williams 6:57:18 (Team Evolution)
Third stage-Kara Kara, Linden to Carifesta Avenue
Heading into the hills of Linden, Hinds had a one-second lead on Anthony and six seconds on Leal. He obviously was the marked man but his teammates, protected him and did much of the work at the front of the group, weathering the wind and the persistent downpour.
Hinds literally weathered the storm and then established a breakaway of four with Marlon Williams, last stage winner, Jamal John and Shaquel Agard (second place in third stage) which jetted off at Umbrella Resort.
The four-strong cyclists opened up a two-minute gap on the peloton and rode all the way to the city despite valiant efforts by Geron Williams and the rest of the chasers.
With the finish line in sight, many expected a fierce sprint finish but with John and Agard out of contention for overall spoils, Hinds was content to safely cruise home in third for the stage.
John took the stage win in two hours, 49 minutes and 57 seconds.
Raphael Leung (6hr: 58m: 49s) was the first junior, while Ian Jackson (6hr: 58m: 04s) took home the veteran’s trophy.
At the presentation ceremony, Minister of Education with responsibility for Sport, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine challenged the organizers to make the event much bigger next year, to coincide with the 50th year of Independence.
Notes: The first two stages of the all local event moved along much faster than last year’s initial stages which attracted many foreign cyclists. The winning times for the first two stages in 2014 were 1hr: 44m: 16s and 2hr: 22m: 52s respectively.
Hinds’ winning time was almost three minutes faster than last year’s overall time (6hr:53m:18s)posted by 2014 champion, Darren Matthews. (Emmerson Campbell)
