A gutsy solo escape with two laps to go by Walter Grant-Stuart was enough to win him yesterday’s feature 35-lap event of the P&P Insurance Brokers 11-race programme.
The one armed wheelsman bested 20 of the nation’s best cyclists, his bravery earning him the spoils in one hour and 17 minutes in perfect conditions for racing in the National Park.
Grant-Stuart led Michael Anthony who out sprinted the remnants of the peloton and Romello Crawford who had a late push onto the podium.
Closely behind were Jamal John, Curtis Dey and Christopher Griffith who completed the top six rewarding positions in one of the most competitive races in the Park in recent memory.
The entertaining race was filled with several groups of riders attacking the main bunch with Brighton John and Grant-Stuart being the main suspects.
John and Grant-Stuart also had several solo breaks but were pursued by the chase pack which quickly extinguished their fiery breakaway attempts.
Late in the race with seven laps to go, Grant-Stuart, Anthony and Paul Choo-Wee-Nam established a break which briefly threatened but their lead was shortlived.
Soon after, however, another break which again included Grant-Stuart was established and they worked together to stave off the others.
Grant-Stuart, however, quickly changed tactics when he realized he was the weakest sprinter on the circuit.
Grant-Stuart, who recorded his second win of the season, seemed to have the freshest legs, rolled the dice and decided to go on an ambitious solo escape.
He smelled blood and attacked his rivals who failed to respond.
Fortune favours the brave, and his late courageous attack paid dividends to silence the doubters. He eventually soloed to victory, crossing the line with his trademark sole index finger on his lips.
Other winners yesterday included: Aditya Dookaran (BMX 6-9), Neshaun Rigby (BMX 9-12), Nehun Rigby (BMX 12-14), Steve Bhimsen (12-14 Boys and Girls), Segun Hubbard (Veteran’s U-50) Ian Jackson (Veteran’s O-50) and Wilfred Thomas (Veteran’s O-60).
The 2019 cycling season continues next Sunday in Berbice with the sixth annual Grenville Felix Memorial road race. (Emmerson Campbell)
