DESPITE the lack of preparation time which has led to fitness worries, Team Coco’s cyclist Jamual John will be giving it his all at this Sunday’s Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) National Senior Road Race.

Since his breakout year (2016) in the senior category, John has consistently placed in the top tier of Guyanese cyclists despite not being able to race overseas for prolonged periods, an experience which helps propel cyclists even further.

However, John will not let that daunt his spirits as he prepares to take on the likes of reigning National Champion, Raynauth Jeffrey and longtime rival, Paul DeNobrega, in addition to young blood, Curtis Dey.

A combination of grit and the will to win is what John says keep him at the top and come Sunday, he is determined to give it his all as he bids to become the new champion of Guyana’s roadways.

Last weekend saw last year’s winners in the Veterans, Over-50, Ladies, Juniors and Juveniles successfully retaining their titles.

Claire Fraser-Green was again unbeatable,  winning her sixth successive National Road Race championship.

Fraser-Green covered the 52 mile (83.69km) distance in two hours, 46 Minutes and 14 seconds (2:46:14), almost 35 minutes ahead  of 2nd and 3rd placed finishers, Shenika Teixeira (Trojan Cycle Club) and Abigail Jeffrey (Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club) who were both timed at 3:20:21.

The Juveniles and Masters Over-50 covered the same distance as the Ladies, with the latter division being won again by Andy Spencer of Team Evolution in 2:26:17 with Shameer Baksh of Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club taking the runner-up spot.

David Hicks, another United We Stand Cycle Club member, dominated his Juvenile peers to defend his title successfully in a time of 2:29:10. Trojan CC’s Jonathan Ramsuchit had to settle for the 2nd place once again with teammate, Steve Bhinson, 3rd.

Meanwhile, Briton John maintained his status as the best junior cyclist by staving off the challenge of his rivals to win back to back titles and the double; having won the Individual Time Trials last Saturday.

Warren ‘Forty’ McKay once again ruled the Veterans (U-50) category and was followed to the line by Nigel London (Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club) and Mark Spencer, in that order.

This Sunday, the Senior cyclists will pedal off at 07:30hrs from the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Homestretch Avenue and follow the same route (Homestretch to Timehri, back to Soesdyke Junction and head up the Linden/Soesdyke Highway) as the juniors and masters. They will, however, proceed to Moblissa on the Linden Soesdyke Highway before returning to the starting line for the finish, a distance of 110 miles.