“Mr Consistent”, Jamual John, wins prestigious Ounce of Gold race

Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

“Mr Consistent”, Jamual John, produced another top-class performance to win the 10th annual Kadir Mohamed Memorial (Ounce of Gold) cycle race in three hours, 17 minutes and 21 seconds in a dominant solo mission that saw him clinch this prestigious race for a third time.

Jamual launching the final and most significant attack

Backed by bright conditions, the cream of Guyana’s cycling crop departed the starting point of this race – before the Thirst Park Headquarters of Banks DIH Limited – and headed for the East Bank Demerara highway, where the seniors raced to Dora on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway while the Juniors and Ladies rode to Yarrowkabra, and everyone returned for the finish at the point of origin.
John left the competition trailing in the dust as he opened a huge gap between himself and them, and then he made his final getaway move at Friendship, EBD.
Team Evolution’s Paul De Nobrega won the battle for second position, finishing ahead of his team mates Christopher Griffith (third), and Curtis Dey (fourth). Paralympian Walter Grant-Stuart (fifth) showed his class in a sprint when he edged past Alexis Mendes (sixth).

Paul De Nobrega sprinted his way to second

Berbician Andrew Hicks claimed five sprint prizes, while Paul Chooweenam, Jamual John, Briton John, Myron Rose and Christopher Griffith each claimed one sprint prize.
In the junior category, Sherwin Sampson emerged victor, followed by Alex Leung and Mario Washington in that order.

Riders returned from overseas to battle for the most prized event

In the Ladies category, the National Champion Suzanne Hamilton emerged winner, while Clavecia Spencer came second. In the veterans Over-50 category, Ian Jackson emerged winner while Garfield Lormer and Kennard Lovell came second and third respectively. Nivonne Wilson was the top juvenile rider.
In the veterans Under-50 category, Walter Grant-Stuart came first, followed by Mendes, Chooweenam, Horace Burrowes and Segon Hubbard in that order.
These top riders were presented with awards at Chin Chan Cycling Shop in Robb Street, Bourda.
Reflecting on the race, gold winner Jamual said the race was tougher that he had though, especially on the way towards the turn-back point, which saw a host of attacks. “I was feeling a little hurting coming back, but I catch back myself,” John said.

Guyana’s top female rider Suzanne Hamilton continued her dominance

Attack on attacks
Briton John is arguably the most attacking rider, but due to cramps, he and National Champion Romello Crawford were not among the top finishers. On the way towards the turn-back point, Briton launched many attacks. It was the same ploy used by the We Stand United rider, but Jamual kept his cool and made his move at the right time.
The Berbician Crawford also made attacks, and at Falls Gas Station at Land of Canaan, Crawford was in the lead, but not for very long.
Despite all the attacks, which saw Griffith leading the race at one point, the most significant attack was the one Jamual made at Friendship, East Bank Demerara.
The National COVID-19 Task Force gave the green light to this event being staged, and COVID-19 protocols were strictly observed. The Guyana Police Force had the event under control despite poor communication from the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) as it relates to the turn-back point.
The riders will now shift focus to another gold race in Essequibo, slated for Sunday October 17.