After taking first and second spots in last weekend’s Star Party Rental criterium event in the National Park, the riders of Team Gillette Evolution (TGE) took their talents to the open roads of West Demerara yesterday and swept the podium spots.
Orville Hinds led club mates Akeem Wilkinson and Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams across the line in the Powerade 33-mile road race which started at Wales, proceeded to Leonora and returned to Schoonord for the finish.
With the TGE unit tuned to precision after a dedicated early season racing schedule, the wheelsmen, in their crisp black and white team kits, were able to sweep the podium places without any theatrics.
Shaquel Agard (Linden Bauxite Flyers), Chris Griffith (Team Alanis) and Stephen Fernandes (TGE) filled out the top six paid positions.
Race after race, TGE is cementing its status as the premier club on the local cycling circuit.
Hind’s fourth victory of the season (third in a row) which came in a brisk one hour, 21 minutes and 22 seconds, was the 10th for his team in the 13 races staged so far.
The club’s dominance was underlined by Wilkinson bagging five of the eight sprint prizes. Two went to Williams while the other went to break away mate, Junior Niles of Team Coco’s.
The race initially rolled off at a pedestrian pace but at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, a six-man unit inclusive of Wilkinson, Williams and Niles broke away from the 39-man peloton.
Wilkinson then broke away on his own at the turn back point and transformed into time trial mode for the next six miles.
Hinds then worked solo and connected with his teammate and the duo rode unchallenged all the way to the finish line saddle to saddle.
Williams then won the bunch sprint ahead of the peloton to seal 1, 2, and 3 for TGE.
Other category winners yesterday included Deeraj Garbarran (juniors), Fernandes (veteran) and Keon Thomas (mountain bike).
