WSUCC’s “One Guyana” Bartica Cycling Classic: Jamual John wins in style on host club membership debut
…Newton, Persaud, Jackson, Noel & Spencer also win
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, handing over the winning prize to the elite/senior winner Jamual John
A robust performance from We Stand United Cycle Club’s (WSUCC’s) latest addition, Jamual John, saw him pedalling to victory in the second edition of the WSUCC’s “One Guyana” Bartica Cycling Classic Road Race held on Sunday last in Bartica.
Coming back after the first edition in 2019, after being a victim of COVID-19, like all the other sports, Sunday’s event was well supported by the local fans, who turned out in their numbers to rally their local cyclists, who did well, apart from having another first-hand taste of the best cyclists in Guyana.
The sport has taken on positive growth in Bartica ever since the first event and the hosting of the 13th Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in Bartica under the Presidency of GFC boss Horace Burrowes in August 2019.
Done and dusted: Jamual John wins
Sunday’s event was another move to consolidate the growth of the sport there, and was well supported by Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., National Sports Commission, Fazia’s Collection Variety Sales Complex, The Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Bartica Regatta Committee, Burrowes Construction, and the Mayor and Town Council of Bartica.
The main race, which was a combined event featuring the Under- and Over-50 cyclists, got off to a blistering start on the circuit-like course around the Town of Bartica, and was witnessed by the residents, dozens at the starting point, Futu’s Guinness Bar, while others line the route in front of their homes to cheer the riders on.
Jamual John and his teammates: Briton John and the junior winner on the day, Aaron Newton, along with Curtis Dey of Team KFC Evolution, established the early advantage by breaking away from their peers. However, the Johns eventually rid themselves of all others in the one hour-plus-two-additional-lap contest.
It looked like there would have been a certain one-two end for Briton and Jamual, but Briton first suffered a puncture, then mechanical issues with his electronic cycle. The rule was that if there had to be a change to your cycle, it must be done at the starting line. While Briton complied when his wheel had to be changed, he did not when his cycle had to be changed, and was therefore penalised by the organising club, which meant that he was disqualified from the race despite being assured of at least a second place.
This meant that Dey took second place ahead of junior rider Aaron Newton, who was followed by Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith of Team KFC Evolution. Sherwin Sampson of Team Alanis, who is now venturing into the senior ranks from being a junior, and another young cyclist, Arjune Sookhai of Kaieteur Attack Cycle Club, followed in that order.
In brief remarks before starting the day’s action, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, who made the trek to Bartica to be part of the day’s action, noted that the WSUCC Bartica Classic personified the Government’s “One Guyana” vision by bringing the sport to more Guyanese, and he said he is pleased that the event was coined after His Excellency’s initiative of “One Guyana”.
Ninvalle pledged the NSC’s continued commitment to the event and the sport, while reminding that the NSC continues to sponsor the National Three-Stage Road Race and is aiming to revive the Five-Stage Classic, which traditionally attracts overseas teams and individuals.
Bartica Mayor His Worship Gifford Marshall also spoke briefly at the opening ceremony, and expressed gratitude to WSUCC for again partnering with the Municipality to bring back the race, positing that it would aid in curtailing many of the social challenges being faced by the youths of the community. He also pointed out that it is his and the Municipality’s aim to provide opportunities for the youths to be involved in positive activities.
Marshall, who had worked along with Burrowes to bring off the 13th edition of the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships, reminded that sports across the spectrum make way for opportunities in tourism, which is of absolute import to the community.
Host club President Franklin Wilson thanked all the clubs for supporting the event, as well as the fans, sponsors, and medical team from the Bartica Hospital, along with Commander Moore and his team from the Bartica Police Station, whose efforts in controlling traffic contributed to the hosting of a flawless event.
Following are the full results of the day’s races:
Elite /Seniors
Place Name Club
1st Jamual John We Stand United
2nd Curtis Dey KFC Evolution
3rd Aaron Newton We Stand United
4th Christopher Griffith KFC Evolution
5th Sherwin Sampson Team Alanis
6th Arjune Sookhai Kaieteur Attack
Veterans Under-50
1st Robin Persaud KFC Evolution
Veterans Over-50
1st Ian Jackson Flying Ace CC
Juniors
1st Aaron Newtown We Stand United
2dn Alexander Leung We Stand United
3rd Sebastian Nathan Kaieteur Attack
4th Zinedine Dos Santos Bartica
Juveniles
1st Torrell Noel Bartica
2nd Jerone Ghainie Kaieteur Attack/Bartica
3rd Joshua Farley Bartica
4th Marcus Lewis Bartica
