TEAM Evolution’s Raul Leal stopped the clock at one hour 55 minutes 44.81 seconds to win the PowerRade 50-mile cycle road race that was staged in the West Demerara area yesterday.The event which was sponsored by beverage `Giant’ Banks DIH Limited and organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed attracted over 40 starters and wheeled off from outside the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara.
From there, the senior and junior pedal pushers journeyed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before turning back to finish at Schoonord, by the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
While on the upward journey, the cyclists stuck together for most of the way with a few attempting to break away from the main pack, but on all of these occasions they were sucked in back by the bunch, as they approached Uitvlugt, last year’s champion Orville Hinds attempted a break but was followed by Leal and a bunch of other riders,
It was at this point that the veterans and Mountain bikers turned back headed by Junior Niles with Jude Bentley in hot pursuit and Shameer Baksh a short distance away in third.
However, Hinds and Leal continued to have a keen tussle up front and the duo made a break after turning back and was never challenged again.
As they passed Goed Fortuin, Leal led the way with his Team Evolution’s club mate Hinds close behind, but Hinds who clocked one hour 56 minutes 55 seconds in winning the event last year simply cruised behind the overall winner and accepted the second place position.
Berbician Andrew Hicks placed third while Paul DeNobrega, Akeem Wilkinson (Team Evolution) and Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
By virtue of placing third overall, Hicks won the junior category ahead of Christopher Griffith and Jaleel Jackson respectively, while Niles crossed the finish line ahead of Bentley and Sheemer Baksh respectively in the veterans’ category.
Keon Thomas was the winner of the mountain bike category, second was Deoraj Garbarran, and Richard Charles placed third.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony which was held immediately after the race was completed, race organiser Mohamed thanked Banks DIH for staying on board for the fourth successive year under their PowerRade brand and said he is hopeful that they will be on board come next year.
Banks DIH beverage manager Jennifer Khan in brief remarks said her company is always pleased to be associated with sporting activities in Guyana and committed her company’s support for the further development of cycling in Guyana.