United We Stand wheelsman Briton John added yet another win under his belt, soloing to victory to emphatically beat a field of 19 cyclists at the inner circuit of the National Park yesterday.
The race was the first of the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) Points Race, as the country’s cycling body seeks to promote consistent cycling among the country’s cyclists.
John, neck and shoulders above his counterparts, demonstrated his elite fitness by stamping his authority on the 35-lap race in the very first lap. He attacked and broke away with at least four cyclists in tow; however, those four became one by lap 3, with only Robin Persaud keeping pace as the duo lapped the stragglers one by one. However, John had no competition in the end, crossing the finish line unchallenged.
He grabbed 15 points for his first-place finish, while Cortis Dey snapped up second in a comeback finish. Finishing third was Christopher Griffith, while Paul DeNobrega came in fourth, with Aaron Newton in fifth.
In the Junior Division, Alexander Leung took top honours, with Sidwell Sandy in second.
In the Over 50 race, Junior Niles fought through an injured back to finish first, as Ray Harlequin had to settle for second. Simone Sandy was the lone female, while Alex Newton was the only juvenile rider.
In the Veterans U-50 category, Robin Persaud ruled the roost, followed by Quame Ridley, Alex Mendes, and Roy Mangru, who took second through fourth in that order.
According to GCF officials who spoke to Stabroek Sports, the Points Race at the National Park will be held on the first and third Saturdays of every month, while road races, also for points, will be staged every Sunday.
Today, the first road race will pedal off from Homestretch Avenue to Umbrella Resort on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and back to the point of origin for the finish.
While cyclists are required to pay $1000 to race, the GCF noted that all the money from registration goes towards an end-of-year awards ceremony for the cyclists.
