HAMZA Eastman upstaged the field to win the feature event of the Banks DIH’s Malta Supreme-sponsored 11-race cycle programme, organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed yesterday in the National Park.

Eastman and two others – Robin Persaud and Marlon `Fishy’ Williams – made a move with 15 laps of the 35-lap race remaining and were never seriously challenged and went on to win by one bicycle length from Persaud and a further length ahead of Williams.
From the start of the event which had eight official prime prizes up for grabs and a further 28 primes that were financed by cycling enthusiasts, the first 19 laps saw the lead interchange with Enzo Matthews taking the first prime prize but he quickly faded away as Raynauth Jeffrey came to the fore and dominated for two laps before he was overtaken by U.S.-based cyclist Horace Burrowes who surrendered the lead to Robin Persaud after two laps.
During the ninth lap, Michael Anthony jumped the pack and led for the other two laps before he was caught by the chasing pack, led by Persaud, but Eastman caught up with him during the next lap and was followed by Anthony.
Christopher Holder then caught up with the leaders and together they worked in tandem until the completion of the 20th lap when Persaud, Williams and Eastman broke away from the pack and established a sizeable lead which they never relinquished.
During the following 15 laps, Williams led most of the way, but with one lap remaining, Williams jumped Eastman and Persaud from the 300-metre mark. Eastman responded and caught Williams rounding the final turn with Persaud in hot pursuit and as they straightened up for the finish, Williams had a slight lead on Eastman, who powered his way and passed Williams just before the finish line with Persaud just behind.
Paul DeNobrega outsprinted the main chasing bunch to place fourth while Jamal John and Mario King finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Of the eight official prime prizes that were up for grabs, Eastman who returned a time of one hour 15 minutes 46.26 seconds in winning the event, won two. Williams also won two, Enzo Matthews two, and Persaud and Michael Anthony one each.
In other results from the day’s programme which was graced with the presence of Banks DIH’s Malta Supreme Brands manager Clayton McKenzie, Adrian Sharma won the three-lap race for BMX Boys open ahead of Sherwin Forde and Kemuel Moses respectively.
Sherwin Sampson won the two-lap race for BMX Boys 9-12 years old ahead of Richard DaSilva. Sampson also won the BMX Boys two-lap race ahead of Jeremiah Harrison and Alexander Leung respectively.
The three-lap race for Boys and Girls 12-14 years of age was won by Amminike Gomes. Second was Brighton John and third was Christian Rajnauth.
The five-lap race for veterans Under-50 years was won by Ralph Williams. Second was Marc Sonoram and third was Jaikarran Sookhai.
Linden Blackman was the winner of the five-lap race for veterans 50 years and over. Second was Raymond Perry, while Monty Parris won the five-lap event for veterans Over-60. Maurice Fagundes placed second.
The 10-lap race for juveniles was won by Stephan Husbands. Jamal John was second and Alonzo Ambrose third.
Keon Thomas won the five-lap event for mountain bikers ahead of Adrian Sharma and Deraj Garbarran respectively.