They are teammates but from today they will become rivals. Raynauth Jeffrey and Jamaul John will, from today, battle each other as well as their other rivals for top honours in this year’s Three-Stage Independence cycle road-race sponsored by the National Sports Commission to the tune of $1.8m.
In excess of 50 riders will compete in the 39th annual Independence Three-Stage cycle road race which pedals off this morning in Berbice.
A look at the start list will see top riders like USA-based Team Foundation standouts, John and Jeffrey along with Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega, Christopher Griffith and Curtis Dey, scheduled to compete in the longest tenured cycling event in Guyana.
Last year’s winner, Briton John, listed among the favorites, will be lurking, looking for a repeat.
A five man team of riders from neighbouring Suriname have also invaded the shores with intentions of returning home with hardware.
Riders like Deeraj Garbarran, Walter Grant-Stuart and Alex Mendes, who could also spring upsets if the favourites get caught up in a cat and mouse game, are also scheduled to compete in the prestigious fixture.
A thrilling weekend of racing is envisioned.
The event gets off to a fast start this morning at Corriverton from 07:30hrs and will proceed to New Amsterdam for the finish.
The gruelling second stage, also today, will commence at 14:00hrs from Rosignol before journeying to Georgetown for the finish at CARIFESTA Avenue.
Tomorrow, the third and final stage will commence from Kara Kara, Linden (from 07:30hrs). The peloton will finish on Homestretch Avenue.
Last year, We Stand United’s John, clocked six hours, 56 minutes and 57 seconds (6:56:57) across the three stages to take the event’s overall title.
Jamual John placed second in a time of 6:57:09 with DeNobrega third in 7:01:56.
Jeffrey placed fourth with an overall time of 7:02:17. Griffith finished six seconds behind Jeffrey for the fifth overall position (7:02:23).
Overall, Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club’s Suzanne Hamilton finished ahead of Shenika Teixeira and Aneisha Crandon in the female category.
