Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey recorded his first win of the season yesterday soloing to victory in the 22nd Cheddi Jagan Memorial 45-mile road race at West Demerara.
The former national road race champion showed his class by dominating a quality field in wire-to-wire fashion from Schoonord to Parika and back to take the win in a brisk 1h:41.34s.
At around 150m from the finish, he rose from the saddle and jumped breakaway mate Deeraj Garbarran and went on to cross the finish line as easy as a Sunday morning stroll.
Andre ‘Padlock’ Green then showed his sprinting prowess, out throttling the large bunch to join the duo on the podium.
Dey’s Team Evolution’s club mate, Christopher Griffith placed fourth while a resurgent Geron Williams and Paul DeNobrega filled out the top six rewarding positions for the event which attracted 31 starters including four females.
Team Coco’s Clavecia Spencer’s sprinted away with the spoils in her category ahead of Denise Jeffrey. Marica Dick placed third a few minutes behind as did Suzanne Hamilton.
Mario Washington, Alexander Leung and Sherwin Sampson were the top three juniors while Robin Persaud, Alex Mendes and Paul Choowenam were rewarded for being the first three veteran riders.
Ian Jackson was also rewarded with a prize for the oldest competing cyclist.
The month of March holds much significance for the former President, Jagan. He was born on March 22, 1918 and passed away on March 6, 1997. He served as President of Guyana from 1992 to 1997. He is widely regarded in Guyana as the ‘Father of the Nation.’
