Alanzo Greaves (Team Roraima) claimed his first stage win in this year’s Tour of Guyana with an impressive sprint in the penultimate stage yesterday in Essequibo, but Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina still has a firm grip on the leaders jersey.
Ospina, who won the first stage, placed a close third yesterday to preserve his lead and will roll into the hills of Linden this morning for the finale with a 53-second gap on closest rival Raul Leal (sixth yesterday).
The Cuban is the front runner for the coveted champion’s trophy with just 60 miles remaining in the ninth annual event.
Ospina’s club mate, Hamza Eastman crossed the line in fifth yesterday but sits third overall, one minute and five seconds off the lead. Greaves, Geron Williams (second yesterday) and Team Coco’s Darren Matthews are fourth, fifth and sixth overall.
Greaves who entered the stage in sixth position, moved up to fourth after winning the grueling sun baked stage from Supenaam to Charity to Suddie.
The talented national rider took pole position in two hours, 25 minutes and 20 seconds for the 62-mile event but is still two minutes and 47 seconds off the lead after losing valuable time in the third stage because of a puncture.
The fourth stage started off at a moderate pace as the Team Coco’s riders controlled the peloton at the front.
About 20 miles in, a series of attacks begun with several sets of riders.
However with each breakaway, the cyclists in the main peloton would quickly reconnect with the lead pack.
With about 10 miles to go, the cyclists were still very much together but the race leader attacked in an effort to stretch his advantage. Williams followed, then Greaves also changed gears. After Greaves who placed second overall last year and Williams connected, the trio worked in tandem to stave off the efforts of the chasers.
At about 200m from the line, team work was shelved and a fierce sprint to the line ensued.
Greaves, the superior sprinter of the three then went into overdrive and powered through for the win.
The first bunch then rode in 41 seconds after the top three with Rodman winning the sprint.
Here is how the top 10 riders overall are positioned before the start of the 60-mile final stage which pedals off at Kara Kara, Linden and concludes on Homestretch Avenue this morning. (Emmerson Campbell)
1st- Carlos Ospina (Coco’s) 7hr:23:11s
2nd – Raul Leal (Gillette Evolution) 7hr:24:04s
3rd – Hamzah Eastman (Coco’s) 7hr:24:16s
4th- Alanzo Greaves (Roraima) 7:hr:25:58s
5th- Geron Williams (Continental) 7hr:26:01s
6th – Darren Matthews (Coco’s) 7hr:26:48s
7th – Marloe Rodman(Heatwave) 7hr:26:49s
8th – Paul DeNobrega (Alanis) 7hr:26:58s
9th – Marlon Williams (Gillette Evolution) 7hr:26:58s
10th – Mark Harris (Coco’s) 7hr:26:58s
