All systems are in place for this weekend’s gruelling 34th annual Independence Three-Stage cycling meet, set to span the counties of Berbice and Demerara.
Close to 50 riders are booked to face the starting line at Corriverton this morning when the event gets underway.
Stage one will see the riders pedaling off from the Corriverton Police Station heading to New Amsterdam, from 07:30h today, while stage two will commences at 14:00h and will span the Rosignol, West Berbice to Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown route.
The final stage will take place tomorrow from Kara Kara, Linden, to Homestretch Avenue, beginning at 08:00h.
Orville Hinds
Team Gillette Evolution’s top wheelsman Orville Hinds is the defending champion, having won last year’s event in a time of six hours, 52 minutes, 26 seconds (06h: 52m: 26s). Teammates Michael Anthony and Raul Leal finished second and third respectively, ensuring a Team Gillette Evolution clean sweep.
Given the team’s outstanding performances over the past year and the clear chemistry that exists among the members, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if one of the men in ‘white and black’ emerges champion again. Strategic riding has been the hallmark of the Ansa McAl-sponsored team, and once they continue in that vein, then they would be hard to beat.
However, the other teams would be cognisant of the need to evolve and no doubt they would be coming with tricks of their own to topple Team Gillette Evolution.
Interestingly enough, several top local riders, including Geron Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Hamzah Eastman, Stephano Husbands, Jamal John, Andre Abdool and Christopher Holder, are currently on overseas engagement and would not participate.
Additionally, top local cyclist Alanzo Greaves will also miss the two-day race, since he is currently serving a one year doping suspension.
