Briton John and Raynauth Jeffrey each earned wins in the first two legs of the Independence Three-Stage road race yesterday but the former rolls into the hills of Linden today for the grand finale with a 12-second lead.
The 21-year old national rider out pedaled 48 other wheelsmen to win the initial stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam yesterday morning and followed it up with a close fourth place finish to Team Foundation’s Jeffrey to preserve his overall lead.
Paul DeNobrega, who placed third in both legs, sits second overall while Jamual John, also of Team Foundation, virtually occupies the third place overall position 14 seconds off the lead after finishing a close fourth in the first leg and first runner up in the second leg.
Up to press time, officials were unable to determine the rest of the top six overall.
What is for certain, once things go according to Briton’s plan, the cyclist, who is currently in sublime form this season is primed for an overall win in the 35th edition of the flagship fixture.
Smart, tactical riding and then a gutsy solo escape by John, less than a mile from the finish, set the stage for his virtual lead.
The United We Stand standout, clocked 1h:44.37s in the 46-mile event, earning a huge 31-second lead on the bunch which included Jeffrey.
His breakaway mates, Adealie Hodge, Paul DeNobrega, Jamual John, Christopher Griffith and Mario Hamilton, followed closely behind.
John followed up the win by driving the peloton back to Jeffrey and Mendes who had enjoyed a seemingly unsurmountable two-minute lead in the second stage.
However, Jeffrey 26, fresh off the plane from the USA grinded out a hard fought wire-to-wire win from Rosignol to CARIFESTA Avenue to make things more interesting this morning.
Quick Results
Top 6 First Stage (46 miles)
Briton John 1h:44m.37s
Adealie Hodge
Paul DeNobrega
Jamual John 1:44.49
Christopher Griffith
Mario Washington
Top 6 Second Stage (60 miles)
Raynauth Jeffrey 2h:30m.13s
Jamual John
Paul DeNobrega
Briton John
Alex Mendes
Christopher Griffith
Meanwhile, Suzanna Hamilton of Linden dominated the female category by emphatically winning both legs.
The females and juniors are not required to ride the final stage of the road race.
Based on the positions of the first and second stages, their overall placings will be calculated.
Action in today’s finale from the Mining Town to the city starts today at 08:00 in Kara Kara, Linden.
A clear winner is not a foregone conclusion. Today’s stage promises to be thrilling.
