Curtis Dey (Trojan PSL) took a stunning victory in this year’s Cheddi Jagan road race yesterday after attacking late and holding off some of the nation’s elite sprinters.
The 20 year-old standout wheelsman placed first in the 22 edition of the annual fixture while leading the in-form Romello Crawford and Chris Griffith onto the podium for the race which rolled off in New Amsterdam, continued to NO. 55 Village and concluded at Port Mourant.
The national rider, who recorded his first win of the season, punched the air in celebration after stopping the clock in 2h:23m:35s for the gruelling 50-mile, sunbaked event.
Andrew Hicks, Michael Anthony and Balram Narine completed the top six positions for the Hassan Mohamed organized fixture.
Linden native, Rastaff O’Selmo, Narine and Hicks got away from the peloton from the smoke of the pistol and rode together until the chase pack eventually reconnected at Eversham on the downward journey. A series of attacks ensued but time after time the pack would pursue and thwart the ambitions of the riders looking to create an advantage.
With about 500m from the line, most of the 35-man starting peloton were still very much bunched up. At this point, Ralph Seenarine who was the winner of the junior category, rose from his saddle and made a bold move, barreling to the finish line.
His move was quickly shut down by the sprinters in the pack, triggering another series of attacks.
However, the national road race champion, Dey who seemed to have the freshest legs on the blazing asphalt, clenched his teeth and gave all the throttle he could to add another first place trophy to collection.
The top three junior riders were Ralph Seenarine, Kevin Ross and David Hicks while the podium finishers in the veteran category were Alex Mendes, Junior Niles and Paul Choo-We-Nam.
Notes: At the conclusion of the event, prizes were shared out to the top finishers by PPP/C Presidential hopeful, Irfaan Ali. The cycling season continues on Saturday in Bartica.
