BERBICIAN cyclist Andrew Hicks edged Stephano Husbands to win the first stage of the Annual Forbes Burnham Three-Stage Cycle Road in Berbice on Sunday.Hicks, a member of WS United Cycle Club of Trinidad and Tobago, returned a winning time of one hour 03 minutes 34 seconds in the 36-mile event, which got underway in New Amsterdam, Berbice at 07:00hrs and proceeded to Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, before returning to the place of origin for the finish.
According to reports, Hicks, a member of the Trojan Cycle Club of Berbice, was among a pack of eight cyclists, who broke away from the Canje Bridge and continued to distance themselves from the other starters.
With approximately two miles from the finish line on the downward journey, Husbands attacked the leading pack and soon after, Hicks responded and joined the Team Coco’s rider and eventually went ahead to finish one wheel ahead of Husbands.
Husbands’ teammates Hamzah Eastman and Jamal John placed third and fourth respectively, some 30 seconds after Hicks and Husbands had crossed the finish line.
Continental Cycle Club’s Geron Williams finished fifth.
The final two stages of the event will be staged on Sunday as the participants will wheel off from Kara Kara, Linden/Soesdyke Highway and complete the second stage on Homestretch Avenue.
The third and final stage will get underway later in the day from Homestretch Avenue. The riders will proceed to Belfield, East Coast Demerara and return to the place of origin for the finish.