Garcia pedals away with Independence 3-Stage crown
A sweep of epic proportions was produced by Colombia’s Mateo Garcia over the weekend, as the National Sports Commission (NSC) hosted its 42nd annual Independence Three-Stage Cycling Road Race.
After in excess of 150 miles of riding in Berbice, the East Coast of Demerara and the East Bank of Demerara, Garcia clocked a combined 6:18:47s for the gold medal and a sizeable cash prize.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle addresses the cyclists on Sunday
In his sweep of the competition, Garcia set the stage with a 1:41:28 ride in Stage 1, clocked 2:20:36 in Stage 2 and then finished off with a 2:16:43 ride in Stage 3 for first place in each segment.
Garcia’s teammate, Jadian Neaves of Trinidad and Tobago after booking places in the top five for the first two stages pulled off a good enough comeback in the third to secure second place in the Elite category and overall, with a combined mark of 6:24:00.
The best of the Guyanese riders over the weekend turned out to be Carlton Wheelers’ Robin Persaud who complete the three stages in 6:29:29 for a podium finish overall and first place in the Masters 35-50 category.
Following closely behind were KFC Evolution’s Aaron Newton (6:31:23); Trinidad’s Adam Alexander (6:33:01) and Continental’s Paul DeNobrega (6:33:40) to complete the top six.
A look at the overall podium following the NSC Independence Three-Stage race
Over in the junior category, the winner was eventually decided by a mere two seconds as KFC Evolution’s Alex Newton edged Alexander Leung for first place. Newton clocked 6:34:31 for first place in the category and eighth overall, while Continental’s Leung accumulated 6:34:33 for a close second place.
The next best junior rider was Flying Ace’s Triston Jaichand with 6:48:39.
For the Masters 35-50, Trinidad’s Adam Alexander copped second place while Segun Hubbard of KFC Evolution rode in third with 6:35:55.
KFC Evolution’s Mark Spencer was the best of the 50+ Masters, completing the three stages in 6:43:28. Flying Stars’ Ian Jackson copped second in the category with 6:47:09 and Ray Harlequin completed the top three with 6:48:31.
At the culmination of the event, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle not only pledged the NSC’s future support of the tournament but also voiced plans for its improvement.
The winners’ circle after the NSC Independence Three-Stage race
“As I said earlier, right away we would be going back to the blackboard to make sure when this is held in 2026, it’s something that is bigger and it’s better. Now, I think that everybody who would’ve participated here today would’ve won, because it makes you a better participant for 2026 and there’s much more in sure,” the Director of Sport shared.
Ninvalle went on to add, “So, the cycling fraternity has some work to do, but we’re willing, as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to make sure that we embrace you and we guide in order to make this sport better.”
Despite initial uncertainty surrounding the hosting of this year’s road race, the NSC had directly engaged cyclists and clubs, subsequently taking over the organisation of the competition.
