TEAM Gillette Evolution dominated the first cycle programme staged in the National Park, Georgetown, for the 2016 season by occupying four of the top six places in the feature 35-lap event for schoolboys, novices and invitational cyclists.The event was sponsored by Ricks and Sari Agro Industries for the 23rd year, and was won by Michael Anthony (Team Gillette Evolution) in a time of one hour 18 minutes 38.90 seconds.
Though he did not win any of the eight “primes” that were up for grabs during the fast-paced event, his teammates Marlon “Fishy” Williams, Orville Hinds and Paul DeNobrega won six among them; Marlon Williams, who placed fifth overall won four primes, Hinds who placed second to Anthony won one and DeNobrega won one.
The other two primes were won by Robin Persaud, who placed fourth overall (one prime) and Paul Cho-Wee-Nam who did not place in the top six won the other.
Team Gillette Evolution’s Raul Leal placed fifth and Geron “The Lone Soldier” Williams was the sixth cyclist to cross the finish line.
The 11-race programme, which was organised by cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, saw Persaud and Marlon Williams breaking from the pack after four of the 35 laps were completed.
They were joined by Anthony and Hinds during the 23rd lap and together the quartet worked in tandem and opened a sizeable lead over the others, which kept extending as each lap progressed.
With nine laps remaining, the quartet led by approximately 300 metres over the chasing pack, which included Leal and Geron Williams.
With four laps remaining, Anthony and Hinds broke from the other two and immediately opened a huge lead and this was maintained until the finish.
Unfortunately, there was no sprint for the finish, as with approximately 250 metres remaining, Anthony was leading Hinds by three bicycle lengths and as the duo turned into the homestretch, Hinds closed in on Anthony and was happy to stay behind him (Anthony), allowing Anthony to cruise to an easy victory.
There was a sprint for the third spot as Williams led Persaud at the 200-metre mark and with approximately 125 metres remaining, Persaud attacked on Marlon Williams’s outside, but Marlon Williams, who possesses great sprinting strength, out-pedalled the veteran to cross the finish line ahead of Persaud.
Leal then out-sprinted Geron Williams to finish fifth.
In other results from the day’s programme, Romelo Crawford won the 10-lap race for juveniles ahead of Andrew Hicks and Raphael Leung, respectively.
Seon Budhan won the three-lap race for mountain bikers ahead of Shane Bourne and Richard Charles, respectively.
The five-lap race for veterans under 50 years of age was won by Junior Niles. Second was Warren McKay and finishing third was Jaikarran Sukhai.
Andrew Spencer won the five-lap event for veterans over 50 years of age; second was Linden Blackman and third was motor-racer Kevin Jeffrey.
Monty Parris was the sole rider in the five-lap race for veterans over 60 years of age and he completed the distance to win the event.
Ronaldo Narine won the three-lap race for boys and girls;second was Jerome Stephens and finishing third was Ameila Williams.
The BMX boys and girls’ three-lap race was won by John Niles, who finished ahead of Jadyan Cotting and Ajady Cotting, respectively.
Simeon Chee won the two-lap race for BMX boys six to nine years old. Second was John Niles and placing third was Zab James.
The presentation of prizes to the respective winners was done by Ricks and Sari representative Sven Doliveira.