Over $1M up for grabs in NSC Independence 3-Stage Road Race

…Opening stage pedals off May 23 in Linden

The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has unveiled a lucrative prize structure for its upcoming Independence Three-Stage Road Race, with over GY$1 million in prize money to be distributed when the annual event rides off on May 23 and 24 as part of Guyana’s 60th Independence celebrations.
According to information released by the federation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, the elite category champion will receive GY$275,000, while second to fifth place finishers will earn GY$200,000, GY$145,000, GY$100,000 and GY$70,000, respectively.

The Masters 35-plus category winner will pocket GY$85,000, with second- and third-place finishers earning GY$70,000 and GY$55,000. In the Masters 50-plus and Category Four divisions, first-place prizes are set at GY$75,000, while second and third place will receive GY$65,000 and GY$50,000, respectively.
The junior division winner is slated to earn GY$70,000 and the runner-up GY$60,000, while the female category champion will take home GY$60,000 and second place GY$40,000. The juvenile category winner will receive GY$40,000.
Stage winners across all categories will also collect GY$10,000 bonuses, while elite riders will battle for additional sprint prizes of GY$5000 at five sprint points during each stage.
This year’s event will take riders through Regions Three, Four and 10 and will feature notable route adjustments from the traditional Independence race layout.
Stage One, scheduled for May 23, will cover 45 miles along the Mabura Road beginning at 07:00h. Riders will then return later that day for Stage Two, a 60-mile race from Kara Kara to Long Creek and back, which is set to start at 14:30h.
The final stage on May 24 will span 55 miles from Schoonord to Parika and back over the Demerara Harbour Bridge before concluding in front of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 07:00h.
The altered routes are expected to provide a fresh challenge for competitors, particularly with the inclusion of the Mabura Road course and the bridge corridor finish.
Last year’s overall title was won by Colombian cyclist Mateo Garcia Castaneda, who represented Trinidadian-based Team Raiders during the 42nd edition of the race. Garcia produced a dominant performance to complete a clean sweep of the competition, winning all three stages contested across Berbice and Demerara to secure the overall crown.
The Independence Three-Stage Road Race remains one of the marquee events on the local cycling calendar and forms part of activities commemorating Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee independence anniversary.