Gibbs makes it four in a row
NSC three-stager
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
May 20, 2002
Despite only winning one stage of the National Sports Commission's (NSC) sponsored-Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race which concluded yesterday, defending champion Dwayne Gibbs made it four in a row when he returned seven hours, 12 minutes 12 seconds for the 181.3-mile event, winning for a fourth consecutive year.
After clocking a bunch time of one hours, 50 minutes 59 seconds for the first stage (Corriverton to New Amsterdam) on Saturday morning, and two hours 42 minutes .09 seconds for the second stage (Rosignol Stelling to Carifesta Avenue) on Saturday afternoon, Gibbs registered two hours, 39 minutes 37 seconds when he crossed the finish line ahead of his rivals in stage three, ending with seven hours, 11 minutes 54 seconds for the entire three stages.
Gibbs' feat in stage three enabled him to eclipse the 1998 record himself and Godfrey Pollydore had established. That year, the two had returned two-hour, 41 minutes 56 seconds for the stage.
Andrew Reece who ended with an overall time of seven hours, 12 minutes 40 seconds, after going into the final stage with four hours, 32 minutes 45 seconds, placed second (7:12:40) while Warren McKay returned seven hours, 12 minutes 45 seconds in placing third.
Tyrone Hamilton who was positioned at fourth overall after two stages, ended fourth overall (7:12:54). Paul Choo-Wee-Nam (7:13:12) and Harris Burrowes (7:15:12) placed fifth and sixth respectively. During the stage (3rd), Gerald Fowler won two of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs, while Gibbs won two, Gordon Kennedy one and Phillip Piggott one.
Soon after the 26 qualifiers for the final stage were sent on their way at Kara Kara, Linden Highway yesterday morning, there were several minor attacks, but in one such attack, Gibbs, Tyrone Hamilton, Sherwin Osbourne and Andrew Reece opened a small lead which was quickly reduced by the main chasing pack.
Sherwin Osbourne was the first of the leading bunch to be dropped. Three minutes later, Warren McKay also started to feel the heat and he too fell away from the pack.
As the leaders approached the Linden/Soesdyke High-way junction, the main chasing pack connected to the leaders. However, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam countered and Burrowes went in pursuit, Gibbs followed and Gerald Fowler, Pollydore and Piggott did like wise.
The lead interchanged thereafter, but at Bagotstown, Gibbs launched a serious attack and was never challenged again.
Hamilton had intended to follow Gibbs after he (Gibbs) had attacked, but he soon changed his mind, allowing Gibbs to cross the finish line a comfortable winner.