Race after race, Team Gillette Evolution (TGE) cements its status as the premier club on the local cycling circuit.
Their latest showcase came yesterday on the open roads of Berbice where two of its riders, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams and Raul Leal occupied the top podium spots in the Cheddi Jagan Memorial 55-mile road race.
Williams and Leal once again defied the odds to finish 1-2 in the 19th annual event which pedaled off at New Amsterdam, proceeded to NO.53 Village and ended at Babu John, Port Mourant.
Linden’s Shaquel Agard rode his way to the final podium spot. Team Alanis’ Paul DeNobrega was fourth while last year’s race winner, Orville Hinds of TGE and filled out the top six paid positions.
In perfect conditions for racing, Williams took the top honors in two hours, 15 minutes and 10 seconds. Besides the first place trophy, he also bagged two of the eight sprint prizes. Four went to Leal while DeNobrega and Hinds snared one apiece.
The theatrics of the race started to unfold on the NO.19 road where Leal and Andre Abdool staged a two-man break from the peloton.
The duo enjoyed the lead for about 15 miles until a wave of riders reconnected.
Soon after however, Leal again orchestrated a break which consisted of the top six riders and Berbician, Andre Green.
The unit rode in tandem and created separation from the rest of the field until Leal again threw team work out the window in Adventure on the downward journey.
Williams changed gears and followed his teammate and the two wheelsmen in their crisp black and white team kit rode the final miles alone despite the valiant efforts of the chasing riders behind.
Leal and Williams then went on to cruise across the finish line at Port Mourant in the otherwise eventful road race.
TGE has been on a tear this season, its riders have won seven of the 10 events that have been staged. (Emmerson Campbell)
Quick Results
Open
Marlon Williams
Raul Leal
Shaquel Agard
Paul DeNobrega
Orville Hinds
Raphael Leung
Juniors
Raphael Leung
Andrew Hicks
Chris Cornelius
Mountain Bike
Ozia McAulay
Richard Charles
Michael Holder
Veteran
Junior Niles
Ian Jackson
Raymond Newton
