After the opening stages of the Tour of Guyana five-stage road race yesterday, it is Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina (4hr:00:50s) who shares the lead with his club mate, Darren Matthews.
The Cuban who won the first stage, crossed the line in the bunch in the second stage which was won by his other club mate, Jaime Ramirez to preserve his lead heading into the third stage this morning.
In the initial stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam (46 miles), Ospina led Matthews, Alanzo Greaves, Raul Leal, Geron Williams and Hamza Eastman into the top six and earned a 10-second bonus.
In the second stage from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue (60 miles), Ramirez was followed by Williams (fifth in the first stage), Marloe Rodman who placed seventh in the initial stage, Matthews, Greaves and Leal.
Ospina and Matthews know that there are three more stages to go including the hilly final stage in Linden on Sunday and will be keen on preserving their lead.
Geron Williams who biked in fifth and second in the respective stages, is lurking with intent in third place just one second behind the leaders. Fellow national rider, Alanzo Greaves (4hr:00:53s) is just three seconds off the lead in fourth place.
Rodman (4hr:00:55s) and Leal (4hr:00:56s) are also in the mix.
Yesterday’s racing covered 106 miles and featured two grueling stages.
First stage:
Marlon Williams, Ospina, Jamal John and Andrew Hicks broke from early from the other 49 starters. The leaders worked hard in tandem to stave off the peloton but were eventually caught by Greaves, Matthews, Eastman, Leal, Geron Williams, Rodman and Mark Harris at the Canje Bridge.
These wheelsmen in the midst of attacks then journeyed together until the final
200m.
As expected a fierce sprint finish ensued which was won by the tireless Ospina a bike length ahead of Matthews.
Second stage:
The stage which started and ended in brilliant sunshine had several mini breaks during the initial moments but the peloton would wheel in the breakaway riders on each occasion.
The peloton was still bunched up all the way to Mahaicony as Team Coco controlled the pace up front.
Marlon Williams and Ramirez however staged a two-man attack at Sparendaam.
But Ramirez dropped Williams at Ocean View and the latter was soon swept up by the wave of the pack.
With Ramirez on a solo journey up front, the race was for second and Geron Williams showing tenacity and his sprinting prowess, powered through ahead of Matthews to place second and third overall.
Today’s 35-mile third stage starts at Wales and ends at Parika. Race
time is 08:00hrs.
Quick overall results heading into today’s third stage:
1st- Carlos Ospina (Cocos) 4hr:00:50s
2nd – Darren Matthews(Cocos) 4hr:00:50s
3rd – Geron Williams(Continental) 4hr:00:51s
4th- Alanzo Greaves (Roraima) 4:hr:00:53s
5th- Marlo Rodman (Heatwave) 4hr:00:55s
6th – Raul Leal (Gillette Evolution) 4hr:00:56s
7th – Hamza Eastman (Cocos) 4hr:00:59s
8th – Paul DeNobrega (Alanis) 4hr:01:00s
9th – Marlon Williams (Gillette Evolution) 4hr:01:00s
10th – Mark Harris (Cocos) 4hr:01:00s
