Team Cocos’ Jamaul John outsprinted a four-man pack to take the third annual Urban Benjamin Memorial Road Race yesterday in Essequibo.
Battling the vision impairing rain and 36 riders across the Essequibo coast, the 22-year-old completed the Gomes Mining Company-sponsored and Evolution Cycling Club-organised 74-mile race from Charity to Supenaam and back in three hours, three minutes and 15 seconds (03:03:15) with the fans gyrating to chants of “John! John!.”
The grueling conditions, which included cattle and mud coupled with potholes littered across the roads, did not halt the riders march as they quickly divided into a six-man lead pack that was whittled to four coming up to the 500-metre dash to the checkered flag.
After the race, John explained that the rain was a bit of a surprise, having prepared for the sun but was thankful for his team that supported him throughout the race.
He added that he was confident in the sprint that he could outlast the others with “a lot of energy in the tank coming into the finish line.”
John was trailed by the inaugural winner of the event, Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega, Michael Anthony and We Stand United’s Briton John.
United’s Andrew Hicks strolled in fifth but was accused of motor pacing, and weas subsequently disqualified.
Andre Green took that position followed by Christopher Cornelius. Last year’s champion, Christopher Griffith suffered cramps and was forced out of the race.
The junior division was won by Ajay Gopilall, fresh off of participation in the Junior Caribbean Championships which was held in Guyana a week ago.
The veterans under-45 category saw Coco’ Junior Niles comfortably asserting himself back on top of the division with Alex Mends in second, Stephen Fernandes third and Lear Nunes in fourth.
The over-45 category was won by Alanis’ Paul Choo-Wee-Nam who outsprinted his compatriots, Ian Jackson and Horace Burrowes in that order.
The race was deemed a success with no serious incident occurring and the organisers and sponsors thanked the riders for their participation in making the memory of the late cycling enthusiast live on.
