TEAM Gillette Evolution continued their dominance of local cycle road races on Sunday, as Raul Leal prevailed in a bunch sprint to win the 25th Annual R&R International Limited-sponsored 25-mile race in the West Demerara area.The event was organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed.
Leal, who also won one of the six prime prizes that were up for grabs, stopped the clock at one hour two minutes 17.50 seconds in winning the event.
The other top five places in the overall category were occupied by Raphael Leung, Javon Crawford, Alonzo Ambrose, Andrew Hicks and Romelo Crawford respectively.
By virtue of placing second overall, Leung was adjudged the first junior to complete the course which was originally set for 40 miles but was reduced to 25 miles due to the rehabilitation works being conducted on the West Coast Demerara carriageway.
Hicks was second in the junior category and Javon Crawford third.
Robin Persaud won the veterans category ahead of Andrew Spencer and Warren McKay respectively, while Ozia McAulley was the winner of the mountain bike category. Second in this category was Keon Thomas while Shane Bourne placed third.
The female category was won by United Kingdom-based Guyanese Clair Fraser-Green.
Paul DeNobrega and Ambrose won two prime prizes each, while the other went to Javon Crawford.
From the start of the race, which began at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, West Bank Demerara and proceeded to Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, the starters were tightly grouped in a high-paced situation all the way to the turn-back point.
However, on turning back, almost half the pack went on a break and opened a sizeable lead until the sprint to the finish line which Leal won.