Contesting the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) sponsored 138.5-mile three-stage cycle road race without team support, Continental cyclist Geron Williams proved he is a force to be reckoned with, as he displayed true grit and determination to win the first stage (65 miles) of the event yesterday.

Williams’ victory was not as easy as some may believe as he was hard pressed by Alonzo Greaves and six others, but romped home the victor by a mere half a bicycle’s wheel ahead of Greaves,who made a welcome return to cycling after serving a one year ban from the sport for using an illegal substance during last year’s `Ride For Life’ five-stage road race which was staged in October.
Williams’ time for yesterday’s 65-mile event was two hours, 38 minutes 46.27 seconds.The other top seven finishers received the bunch time, but since Williams had won the time race, he secured a 10 seconds bonus which he took into yesterday’s second stage (Individual time trial).
Greaves,who finished second,benefited from a seven seconds bonus time.
Yesterday’s second stage which covered a distance of 3.5 miles began outside Celina Resort, Kitty Sea Wall and concluded outside the Plaisance Community Centre, East Coast Demerara.
Shaquile Agard finished third, Hamzah Eastman was fourth, Michael Anthony fifth and Christopher Cornelius sixth.
Andrew Hicks who ended seventh was adjudged the first junior finisher while Raphael Leung was the second junior.
Raymond Newton who ended ninth overall in a time of two hours 39 minutes 51 seconds was the first veteran to cross the finish line while Paul Cho-Wee-Nam was second.
After being sent on their way from Carifesta Avenue at 07:30hrs, the 47 starters moved off at a fast pace and it was in the vicinity of the University of Guyana that Williams, Greaves, Stephano Husbands and Silvio Inniss broke from the pack and opened a good lead.However,they were briefly caught as they passed through Better Hope but they managed to regain the lead which they held;thwarting a few challenges from the chasing group.
While passing through Lusignan, pre-race favourite, Raynauth `Obeah Man’ Jeffrey, suffered a mechanical problem (busted chain) and had to get a change of cycle.However,the cycle he got was not to his liking and he elected to stay at the back and might not have qualified for yesterday’s individual time trial since the race is a Time Race.

In the meantime, Williams, Greaves, Husbands, Inniss, Hicks and three others broke from the pack and battled among themselves from Haslington after leaving the others behind while passing through Dantzic.With 200 metres from the finish Greaves tried to breakaway but Williams responded immediately and edged his rival across the finish line.
Meanwhile, the third and final stage will be held today starting at 11:00hrs from outside the Guyana Defence Force Camp Ayanganna Headquarters, Irving Street,where cyclists will battle for 30 laps which is equivalent to 70 miles.
At stake is a total prize package of $400,000 for the three categories of cyclists (open, juniors and veterans.