Walter Grant-Stuart has defied all odds to emerge victorious in the 19th edition of the P&P Insurance 35-lap cycle race that was held on Saturday in the inner circuit of the National Park.
Michael Anthony sprinting his way past Jamaul John and Romello Crawford
Considered differently-able because he had lost an arm in an accident, this indefatigable rider bested the opposition in one hour, 17 minutes and five seconds to emerge champion in a race that pedalled off at 11:25h.
Calculating the race brilliantly, Stuart thrilled excited spectators by lapping flagging cyclists by a huge margin.
The outstanding cyclists of the P&P Insurance Brokers (Brandon Corlette photos)
In the battle for second position, Linden’s Michael Anthony continued to prove his worth as a star sprinter by completing the race ahead of the Berbician Romello Crawford, who rode in third. The 2019 National Cycling champion Jamaul John rode in fourth position, while 2018 National Cycling champion Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey completed the race in fifth.
In the main event, wherein 20 cyclists were on show, Team Evolution followed Dey to achieve sixth position. Briton John, Paul De Nobrega, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam and Andre Padlock Green completed the top 10 wheelsmen.
In the intense 35-lap main event, Briton John set the tone early to lead the way, grabbing two sprint prizes in the process. Grant-Stuart and Jamaul John also each took two sprint prizes.
Earlier, the 12-14 boys race saw the Corentyne lad Steve Bhimsen emerging victorious. He completed the three-lap race in eight minutes 25 seconds. Sherwin Sampson, who also won a sprint prize, rode in second position, while Mark Lewis came in third.
In the Veterans under-50 race, Seqan Hubbard completed the 5-laps in eleven minutes 34 seconds for first place, while Jaikarran Sookhai and Ian Jackson came in second and third respectively.
Jackson won the Veterans Over-50 category, followed by National Masters Champion Andre Spencer and Kennard Lovell third.
In the 10-lap Juveniles category, Sherwin Sampson rode in first position in a time of 28 minutes and 13 seconds, while Jonathan Ramsuchit and Steve Bhimsen followed.
Aditya Dookaram won the BMX boys’ 2-lap race, while Uttamkumar Isurdeenn received a special award.
This racing programme was sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultancy agencies for a 19th consecutive year. Last year’s champion of the main event was Jamaul John, who completed the race in one hour, 16 minutes and 51 seconds.
Cycling will continue next Saturday in Berbice, where all the top cyclists in the country will traverse the highways in the ancient county. (Brandon Corlette)
