THE first stage of Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Road Race pedalled off on Sunday at Schoonord with more than 40 riders competing in several different categories.
It was Briton John however that emerged as the top rider after finishing the trek from Schoonord to Parika and back in 1 hours 36 minutes and 48 seconds.
He picked up two sprint prizes on the way to victory.

The Seniors, Juniors, and Veterans in the open category started at Schoonord and proceeded to Bushy Park Parika and returned to Schoonord for the finish.
Veterans over 50 and Mountain Bikers pedalled off from Schoonord as well but proceeded to Uitvlugt and returned to the start line.

John pocketed $22,000 for the win after eclipsing in form rival, Aaron Newton, who finished second with Jamaul John coming in third.
Philip Clarke riding two legs of the race the quickest had to settle for fourth with Marlon Williams and Paul DeNobrega rounding out the top six finishers in the race.
In the Juniors, Alex Newton, for his win, collected $12,000 after out-riding Alexander Leung and Adjani Cutting who completed the podium finishes

The Veterans over-40 open winner was Clarke who took fourth overall, his ride good enough to give him the win over Willaims and Llyn Murray respectively.
Category 4 was won by Kwame Fortune who pipped Daveand Bisson to the top spot with Carlos Mendonca third.

Serial winner, Junior Niles, rolled back the years to claim the Veterans over-50 title with Mark Spencer and Ian Jackson in tow.
The Mountain bike class was ruled by Julio Melville with Wayne Defreitas copping second place.

The winners for category 4, veterans, mountain bike and veterans over 50 also was awarded cash incentives
The three stages are sponsored by the People’s Progressive Party Civic.