In an extraordinary display of speed, power and stamina, Team Coco’s Jamaul John rode wire-to-wire to emerge victorious in yesterday’s 17th annual Victor Macedo Memorial road race in a thrilling two-man sprint finish.
John won the gruelling but lucrative 60-mile fixture (25 laps) which was staged around the outer circuit of the National Park, in two hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds. Testament to his class and dominance on the saddle on a cool Sunday afternoon, the 22-year-old also carted off three of the eight sprint prizes during the event which attracted in excess of 35 semi-professional bikers.
The Team Coco’s standout led breakaway mate, Brighton John (winner of five primes) and Curtis Dey (last year’s winner) onto the podium.
Andrew Hicks, Andre `Padlock’ Green, Christopher Griffith, Marcus Keiler and Kemuel Moses completed the top eight positions. Besides besting a field of Guyana’s premier wheelsmen, John, arguably the best cyclist on the local circuit, racked up his third career Victor Macedo title triumph and fifth signature win of the season.
John and his namesake created separation from the rest of the starters who once again played the game of ‘cat and mouse’.
With the duo motoring up front, their lead ballooned and at the half-way mark, they were able to lap the field.
With the fans who lined Irving Street outside the GDF compound cheering them on, the two cyclists soldiered on in tandem and continued to stretch their advantage.
About 150m from the finish however, teamwork was thrown out of the window and the leaders rose from their saddles and a fierce sprint battle ensued.
Jamaul John, who is blessed with superior sprinting ability, put his head down, gritted his teeth, kept his momentum and stole the show by a few bike lengths.
Following the race, the winner, John said he is enjoying late season form and is looking forward to racking up more wins as the year winds down.
