Despite the unfavorable weather on Saturday at the inner circuit of the National Park, Thomas Lands, 21-year-old Team Cocos wheelsman Hamzah Eastman secured his first win of the season, claiming the 35-lap featured race in the 27th Annual R&R international 11-stage race programme.
Pacing his race to a peach, the pulsating rider did not look as if he would have won the race from the green light as he immediately fell to the back of the break away while Deeraj Garbarran led initially then it was Trojan’s Romello Crawford who controlled the race periodically.
The chasing pack were kept at bay for most of the race in windy and rainy conditions
With the weather grueling and the competition peeking, Eastman was faced with another hurdle as he suffered a puncture and was assisted by his team mate to change bikes. Falling behind once more, Eastman powered his way back into the front as he reached into the four-man pack battling for the prize.
As the showers became heavier, riders dropped out one by one but the four at the front continued. Coming around the second half of the final lap, Crawford leaped to the front of the pack in the dash to the finishing line with PSL’s Curtis Dey in hot pursuit. The two were in the center of the track as Eastman came up on the outside around the final turn, slipping but maintaining his balance while his team mate, Jamaul John came from the inside.
In the blink of an eye it was Eastman who arched his body giving everything from the tank to seal victory in a time of one hour, 17 minutes and 13 seconds.
Eastman was trailed by Crawford while John settled for third and Dey, fourth. In a considerable distance behind Orville Hinds finished fifth as Walter Grant-Stuart passed Christopher Griffith who also suffered mechanical problems to win the sixth position.
In the other divisions, David Hicks won the 12-14-year-old category while Briton John secured the top of the podium in the Juveniles category after completing the 10 laps in 24 minutes and 32 seconds.
Over in the Under-50 masters class, consistent performer, Cocos Junior Niles clocked in 12 minutes for his five laps to win the category while Garry Benjamin rode away with the win in 12 minutes 58 seconds.
Today, the riders will take to West Demerara when Eastman is expected to defend his title across the 46 mile ride with the simple aim of clinching the R&R International double. The race begins at 08:00h at Schoonord and will head to Bushy Park and turn back to finish at Schoonord.
