Berbician, Romello Crawford drew first blood in this year’s Burnham Memorial Three-Stage Road Race yesterday, winning the first leg in front of his hometown fans that lined the streets.
The Trojan PSL standout took the top honours of the 46-mile first stage with a stunning solo victory after attacking late and holding off his breakaway mates.
In the blazing heat, he stopped the clock in a brisk 1hr: 46m.59s for the event which started at Springlands and ended in New Amsterdam.
The 21 year-old who is enjoying sublime early season form, won his second event for the year in three starts. He will be looking to preserve his 21-second lead on Andre Green and Brighton John. His other break away mates, Andrew Hicks
Geron Williams and Chris Griffith are 25 seconds off the lead.
The tireless Crawford who was part of a 10-man break that moved away from the peloton early, pounced on his exhausted rivals about a mile from the line and never relinquished the lead.
This year’s series will continue on Sunday in the Mining Town to Georgetown. The grueling second stage which rolls off at 07:00hrs also, will cover 65 miles.
On the same day at 14:00hrs, the third and final event (30 miles) commences at Georgetown, proceeds to Belfield on the East Coast of Demerara and back to the point of origin.
As customary, the race is sponsored by The Forbes Burnham Foundation and co-ordinated by the Flying Stars Cycling Club. Prizes and trophies will be up for grabs in the Open, Junior and Veteran categories respectively.
