Phillip Clarke takes overall win at 3-stage Independence cycle meet
Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette
Barbadian cyclist Phillip Clarke has emerged the winner of the 40th Independence Three-Stage Cycle Race.
Having started his cycling career back in 1997, when his maiden overseas stint was in Guyana, the 48-year-old Bajan speedster used all his experience to claim 35 points across the three stages and finish ahead of Romello Crawford and Curtis “Chappy” Dey, who both claimed 34 points overall to round out the top three overall winners.
Top junior rider Alex Leung placed first in his category and finished fifth overall
Fifteen-year-old Alexander Leung emerged winner of the junior category, and took fifth spot overall.
The final stage of this race — from Linden to Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown — was beset by torrential rainfall, but
Robin Persaud won the third and final stage on Sunday morning
Team Evolution’s Robin Persaud won this stage by clocking two hours, 50 minutes and 51 seconds. He was followed by Kwame Ridley (2nd), Alexander Leung (3rd), Aaron Newton (4th), Phillip Clarke (5th), Romello Crawford (6th) and Curtis Dey (7th) as top finishers in the third stage.
Clivecia Spencer was again champion in the female category
Clivecia Spencer won the female category, while Tandeia Noel was the other female cyclist to finish the race overall. Berbician Sidwell Sandey was the top juvenile, while Torrell Noel was second in the overall placings in that category.
In addition to Leung, Aaron Newton (2nd) and Ajani Cutting (3rd) were the top juniors overall. Ian Jackson was the top Over-45 veteran, while Nigel London and Sybourne Fernandes followed in respective order. The top three Under-45 veterans were Persaud, Ridley and Alex Mendes.
Champion of the three-stage, Phillip Clarke, receiving his trophy from Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle (Brandon Corlette photos)
At the ceremony for the presentation of prizes, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, who was present, called for the introduction of a five-stage race, and pledged support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to make that event as successful as this three-stage event.
“It was good. For me, it was intense, and I am preparing for my Nationals back home. I like the aggressive style of racing. This kind of style is like Martinique or Guadeloupe, so I made a last-minute choice to come here. We also had a race today in Barbados that was paying plenty, but I prefer to come to this race, because it was three (competitive) stages, so this would have done me much better for my condition,” Phillip Clarke has said.
This Heatwave cyclist, who also has representation in Trinidad and Tobago, has credited his solid training and his experience for his success in Guyana.
