By Michelangelo Jacobus

TEAM Coco’s cyclist Hamzah Eastman fended off the stinging rain and stern challenge from his teammate Jamual John to take yesterday’s feature 35-lap Schoolboys and Invitational R&R title.

Competing around the inner circuit of the National Park, Eastman also came under fire from youngsters Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey and Romello Crawford.

In extremely wet and windy conditions Eastman stuck with the peloton which consisted of Dey, John and Crawford. Together the quartet led for the duration of the race at a blistering pace which ensured the chasing pack had no real chance of catching up. His win meant that last year’s winner of the meet, Paul DeNobrega was dethroned.

Eastman, who spent the greater part of 2017 on the Caribbean and USA cycling circuits, recorded his first win of 2018 by executing a perfect bike throw to pip Crawford on the line while John had to settle for third place with Dey coming in fourth.

The sprint down the final stretch was initiated by Dey, who perhaps jumped the gun a bit too soon, as John shifted gears to catch Dey on the final turn. It was there that Eastman and Crawford followed suit. The latter is known for his tremendous sprinting but Eastman did just enough to take the race while John’s legs failed him for the last few yards.
Eastman’s thrilling win came in a time of one hour 17 minutes 13 seconds.

The cyclists will now head to West Demerara today for the R&R-sponsored Road race; Eastman is the reigning champion having won last year’s edition.

He will be looking to take the double today and retain his Road race title at the same time but that will be no easy task as he will once again face formidable competition in the form of Dey, Crawford and John, along with Alonzo Ambrose and Paul DeNobrega who will all be out to kick-start their 2018 with the elusive win.

The race begins at 08:30hrs at Schoonord on the West Bank of Demerara. The cyclists will pedal their way to Bushy Park, Parika then return to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish.