By Michelangelo Jacobus
The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) continued its Points Races initiative yesterday, this time a gruelling 25-lap race around the outer circuit of the National Park under stinging sunshine, with Briton John once again emerging victorious.
John, who missed out on the podium last time around, returned to his accustomed place by brushing off an early challenge from Jamual John.
While Jamual, who is now returning to some semblance of fitness, made a breakaway in the eighth lap to lead for three laps, Briton was equal to the task, reeling in Jamual to take the lead in the 11th lap.
Briton increased the gap between him and the peloton to the point where it would be impossible for them to catch him, and he led the race for the remaining laps, cruising home to the finish line unchallenged to take home maximum points once again.
While first place was sealed midway through the race, the battle for second, third, and fourth took on a life of its own as Jamual, Segun Hubbard, and Kwame Ridley turned in commendable efforts. However, Hubbard would drop Jamual and Ridley to comfortably come home in second place, while Ridley outlasted Jamual to finish third, with the latter trailing him home for fourth.
Aaron Newton, Christopher Griffith, Paul De Nobrega, Alex Mendes, Arjoon Sukhoi, and Robin Persaud all took up the remaining top 10 categories in 1-3 spots in that exact order.
In an entertaining and much closer category 4-5 race, Roy Mangal won maximum points while Mark St. Claire of Kaieteur Attack Cycle Club outsprinted the midfield in a much improved display to claim second.
He was trailed by Davenand Bissoon and Travis Cipriani, who occupied third and fourth, respectively. Oliver Reed, Kareem Sharpe, and Jamari Sharpe all had to settle for fifth through seventh place in that order.
Alexander Leung, much like Briton John, continued his dominance in the Juniors category, claiming first place, while Sidwell Sandy and Daniel Taang finished in second and third place, respectively.
Abigail Jeffrey held off Simone Sandy in the female category, while Alex Newton beat Dinesh Sookhai to the finish line in the juvenile event.
The Points Races, which encompass road races along with National Park races on every first and third Saturday, are part of its effort to promote more cycling events in a bid to keep cyclists competition-ready and boost their fitness levels.
The top 10 cyclists in each category of the races will be awarded points ranging from 15 (first place) to one (10th place). After the season ends, the GCF plans on hosting an award ceremony where top performers will be honoured.
Complete Results
Category 1-3
Briton John
Segun Hubbard
Kwame Ridley
Jamual John
Aaron Newton
Christopher Griffith
Paul de Nobrega
Alex Mendes
Arjoon Sukhai
Robin Persaud
Category 4-5
Roy Mangal,
Mark St. Claire
Davenand Bissoon,
Travis Cipriani
Oliver Reid
Kareem Sharpe
Jamari Sharpe
Juniors
Alexander Leung
Sidwell Sandy
Daniel Taang
Juveniles
Alex Newton
Dinesh Sookhai
Ladies
Abigail Jeffrey
Simone Sandy
