Newton wins Victor Macedo Memorial Road Race

Aaron Newton claimed the Open title when the Flying Stars Cycling Club staged the 15th Annual Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Road Race along the East Coast of Demerara on Sunday morning.

Newton finished ahead of last year’s winner Jamual John, while experienced cyclist Robin Persaud secured third place. Paul DeNobrega and Alex Mendes completed the top five in that order.
Persaud also emerged as the Masters 35-and-over champion, finishing ahead of Mendes and third-placed Kwame Fortune.
The junior category was won by Alexander Leung, who added another title to his growing list of achievements on the local cycling circuit.
Mark Spencer led the Masters 50-and-over riders home, with Ian Jackson taking second place and Ray Harlequin finishing third.
In the Category Four contest, Leon Koulen secured the top position ahead of Jamal Chappel and Collis Williams.
Tandeia Noel was the lone female cyclist to participate.
The race began with a roll-off from Macedo’s former residence on Peter Rose Street, Queenstown. The riders travelled through Lance Gibbs Street and Irving Street, passed the Kitty Roundabout and entered Clive Lloyd Drive, where the competitive section started.
The first group, which included the Elite, Masters 35-and-over and Junior riders, departed at approximately 07:18h. The second group followed shortly afterwards.
The cyclists then headed east along the East Coast Public Road. The longer-distance group (Elite/Open) travelled through the Mahaicony New Road to Belladrum before turning for Georgetown, while the shorter-distance competitors turned at Perseverance, commonly known as “The Big Tree”. On the return journey, the riders used the Mahaicony Old Road and Drill Public Road before rejoining the East Coast Public Road and finishing at Liliendaal, opposite the Liliendaal Hospital.
The annual event is organised by the Flying Stars Cycling Club in memory of the late Victor Macedo and his contribution to cycling in Guyana.