Raul Leal won his third race of the season yesterday by winning the fifth annual 50-mile PowerAde sponsored event at West Demerara in a thrilling five-man sprint finish.
In an extraordinary display of speed, power and stamina, Leal rode wire-to-wire and completed the trek which rolled off at Wales, proceeded to Parika and returned to Schoonord in a brisk one hour, 55 minutes and 10 seconds, some 45 ticks better than Orville Hinds’ winning time last year.
Besides the winner’s trophy, the 19-year-old snared a sprint prize while besting his breakaway mates Jamal John, Raphael Leung, Paul DeNobrega and Andrew Hicks.
Shaquel Agard of the Linden Bauxite Flyers filled out the top six paid positions.
The top five wheelsmen separated from the 30-man peloton on the upward journey at Vreed-en-Hoop.
Despite the valiant effort of the chasers, the lead pack managed to maintain their lead by riding as a team.
But team work was shelved when the finish line and a victory was in sight.
Leal rolled up the sprint from 250m out, literally causing a chain reaction as the rest of the leaders rose from their saddles and changed gears. The adrenaline was pumping as the riders barreled to the line.
But Leal had enough left in the tank and powered across the line about two bike lengths ahead of John and the fast closing Leung to take the win.
Quick Results
Seniors
Raul Leal
Jamal John
Raphael Leung
Paul DeNobrega
Andrew Hicks
Shaquel Agard
Juniors
Jamal John
Raphael Leung
Andrew Hicks
Veteran
Jude Bentley
Talim Shaw
Shameer Baksh
Mountain Bike
Ozia McAulay
Keon Thomas
Julio Melville
