Raul Leal kicked off the month of July in fine style yesterday winning the feature 35-lap event of the sixth Malta Supreme 11-race programme at the National Park
The Team Evolution rider outsprinted national wheelsman, Hamza Eastman (Team Coco’s) in a thrilling two-man finish to take the spoils of the event. Former junior standout, Alonzo Ambrose (Team Alanis) completed the podium, while Chris Griffith, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, Kemuel Moses filled out the top six.
Leal, who won his fourth race of the season, completed the exciting criterium event in a respectable one hour, 20 minutes and 17 seconds despite the intermittent showers.
He also carted off a sprint prize. However, six went to his break away mate, Eastman while Ambrose pocketed the other.
Leal, Eastman and Ambrose broke away from the peloton in the fourth lap then proceeded to build an insatiable lead with every powerful turn of their pedals. The lead ballooned and with 10 laps to go, the peloton was caught and lapped.
But bad luck soon struck Eastman when he suffered a puncture. Fortunately, he received his team mate’s (Raynauth Jeffrey) bike and continued to push the pedals.
Leal, however, stole the day by producing a dominant sprint for a fine victory by a bike length.
He has the opportunity to up his win total today when the cycling season continues with the seventh annual Dr. Chase and Seven Seas 50-mile road race at West Demerara.
Cycling action starts at 08:00hrs.
Other winners yesterday included: Adelia Hodge (BMX Boys 12-14 years and BMX Boys and Girls 12-14 years), Jeremiah Harrison (BMX Boys 9-12 years), John Niles (BMX Boys 6-9 years), Keon Thomas (Mountain Bike), Andrew Hicks (Juveniles), Jude Bentley (Veteran U-50 years), Raymond Newton (Veteran O-50 years) and Monty Parris (Veteran O-60 years).
At the completion of the event, its organizer, Hassan Mohamed congratulated the cyclists for making the day a success and also thanked the sponsor for being onboard.
Malta Supreme’s Brand Manager, Clayton McKenzie also made brief remarks and assisted with the presentation of the prizes.(Emmerson Campbell)
