Injured John powers to Stage Five victory in Tour de Guyane

Guyanese cyclist and National Road Race champion Briton John overcame severe back pain and the challenge of riding an unfamiliar bicycle to win the fifth stage of the 2026 Tour de Guyane on Wednesday.
The VC Sinnamary rider produced a powerful sprint to defeat Team 74’s Antoine Grand and Baptiste Derouault at the end of the gruelling 166-kilometre journey from Mana to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, the longest stage of the Tour.
John had been battling discomfort after crashing during Stage Three and was forced to compete on a different bicycle after his frame was damaged. However, those difficulties did not prevent him from joining Grand and Derouault in an early three-man breakaway on Wednesday.
The trio opened a sizeable advantage over the peloton and remained at the front for much of the race. Grand initially drove the breakaway, with John and Derouault following as they worked together to distance the main group.
With approximately 15 kilometres remaining, Grand launched an attack in an effort to break free. However, John and Derouault responded and prevented him from establishing a decisive gap.
The three riders stayed together approaching the finish before John delivered a strong sprint in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to secure a memorable stage victory.
John’s win added his name to the list of stage winners at this year’s event. Rutger Wouters claimed Stage One with a solo breakaway, while Paul Daumont won Stage Three. Mario Jandia captured Stage Four ahead of John’s VC Sinnamary teammate Owan Nubul.
The Tour was expected to enter a decisive phase on Thursday with Stage Six being contested in two sections. The riders will first tackle a 101.69-kilometre road race from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to Mana before competing in a 12.07-kilometre individual time trial from Awala to Yalimapo during the afternoon.
With the gaps in the general classification remaining close, the double-header could significantly reshape the overall standings. (Michelangelo Jacobus)