Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina was a winner on the road but a loser before he entered the drug testing room.
The Colombian won yesterday’s finale of the ‘Tour of Guyana’ five-stage road race and was destined to take the spoils of this year’s event but his refusal to take a random drug test gifted second place finisher, Raul Leal the coveted champion’s trophy.
Ospina had won the first and final stages and battled 48 other wheelsmen in searing heat over 266 miles during the four days of the fixture, but he could not muster the courage to urinate in a World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) container.
As a result of his refusal, Ospina forfeited his prizes and was scratched from the results sheet.
Team Gillette Evolution’s Leal (who was also tested) was then awarded the overall honors followed by Hamza Eastman, Marlon Williams, Jamal John, Alanzo Greaves and Geron Williams.
Leal who was 53 seconds off the lead before the finale, failed to win any of the stages but was consistent throughout the four days and finished the ninth annual event in 10 hours, three minutes and 21 seconds to take home the $US1000 first prize.
The talented wheelsman was elated by winning his first five-stage winner’s trophy.
“It’s always good to win races but to win this for the first time is special. I would like to thank my teammates and all others who supported me before and during the race.”
With Ospina scratched, yesterday’s sun baked final stage from Kara Kara to Homestretch Avenue was awarded to Jamol Eastman (Heatwave) in two hours, 36 minutes and 54 seconds. The Barbadian was followed by Raynauth Jeffrey, Jamal John (Team Coco’s), Marlon Williams (Gillette Evolution), Jornell Yearwood (Linden Bauxite Flyers) and Andre Simon (Cure 8/S11).
Here is the Top 10 overall for the event:
1st – Raul Leal (Gillette Evolution) 10hr:03:31s
2nd – Hamzah Eastman (Coco’s) 10hr:03:43s
3rd- Marlon Williams (Gillette Evolution) 10hr:03:54s
4th- Jamal John (Coco’s) 10hr:04:08s
5th- Alanzo Greaves (Roraima) 10hr:05:15s
6th – Geron Williams (Continental) 10hr:05:18s
7th – Paul DeNobrega (Alanis) 10hr:05:44s
8th – Darren Matthew (Coco’s) 10hr:06:15s
9th – Marloe Rodman (Heatwave) 10hr:06:15s
10th – Jamal Eastman (Heatwave) 10hr:06:42s
Juniors:
1st – Jamal John (Coco’s) 10hr:04:08s
2nd – Andrew Hicks (Trojan) 10hr:09:16s
3rd – Chris Griffith (Alanis) 10hr:15:25s
Veterans :
1st – Paul Choo-Wee-Nam (Alanis) 10hr:17:51s
2nd – Junior Niles (Coco’s) 10hr:21:01s
3rd – Rockwell Seecharran (Grenada) 10hr:26:23s
During the presentation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ivan Persaud thanked the government and the NSC for making positive changes to the event (meals and accommodation). Persaud also stated that the bodies will work together to make the race more lucrative as well as more attractive to foreign cyclists next year and beyond.
Brief remarks were also made by chief race organizer, Hassan Mohamed, Trevor Williams (Director of Youth) and Shivini Tulshi (Export Manager of Banks DIH Limited). (Emmerson Campbell)
