Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega stopped the clock at two hours 27 minutes and eight seconds in the Team Alanis 55-mile cycling race on Sunday. A total of 34 starters assembled at Carifesta Avenue and proceeded to the Halfway Tree, Perseverance, Mahaicony before returning to finish at the point of origin.
In hot conditions, DeNobrega was followed by We Stand United’s Deeraj Garbaran (second); veteran Alexis Mendes (third), and Berbicians Andre Green (fourth) and Ralph Seenaine (fifth). Team Alanis rider Paul Cho Wee Nam finished sixth. In the juniors battle, Mario Washington pipped David Hicks and Sherwin Sampson in that order.
Top junior rider Mario Washington
Mendes, who finished third overall, emerged as the top masters rider while Cho Wee Nam came in second. In the battle for third, the officials gave the nod to Kwame Ridley, who was involved in a close sprint with national masters champion Walter Grant-Stuart and Ralph Williams.
Clavicia Spencer pipped Susane Hamilton in the female category
In the ladies category, which saw the riders battle across 40 miles, Clavicia Spencer finished first, stopping the clock at one hour 55 minutes while national female champion Susane Hamilton came in second. In the over-50s category, Talim Shaw took first place while Kennard Lovell and Shameer Baksh rounded out the top three.
The intense sprint involving Walter Grant-Stuart, Kwame Ridley and Ralph Williams
After the race, DeNobrega said he was supported by his team-mate Christopher Griffith. “I just had to ride smart, it was a long race and I never underestimate anyone. It was pretty good going up with the wind, so I had to wait for the ride move going up. We made the move going up and just to carry the break out,” DeNobrega said.
Deeraj Garbaran finished second
He added that he was confident during the break, saying he was the fittest man there. “Garbaran was riding pretty good, but I know he could not beat me coming home, so he made a move and after that, we started to work. I told him I am going for the win,” DeNobrega related.
Alexis Mendes emerged as the top masters rider, finishing ahead of Berbician Andre “Padlock” Green
With the Caribbean championships looming, DeNobrega said he was working hard as he set his sights on that event. The COVID-19 task force granted permission for this cycling event and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was present.
