Reece reigns in Three-Stager
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
May 19, 2003
Kaieteur cyclist Andrew Reece is the new three stage road race champion, despite not placing among the first three in any of the three stages. The final stage concluded yesterday.
Ironically, Junior Niles who won two of the three stages failed to finish among the top nine finishers overall.
According to race commissar Joseph Britton, Reece clocked seven hours six minutes 01.10 seconds (7:06.01.10) to beat Jude Bentley by 15 hundredths of a second for first place. Bentley returned seven hours six minutes 07.25 seconds.
Gordon Kennedy who went into yesterday's final stage (Kara Kara, Linden Highway to Homestretch Avenue) with three seconds over Reece, settled for third (7:06.07.66) while Warren McKay finished fourth overall (7:06.21.91).
Defending champion Gibbs could do no better than fifth with a time of 7:08.09.26, while Tyrone Hamilton finished sixth in 7:08.11.26.
Yesterday's 68-mile plus stage was won by Niles in two hours 44 minutes .02 seconds while Bentley finished second in the same time having received bunch time. Niles however benefitted from a seven seconds bonus time. Bentley got a five seconds bonus time.
In out-sprinting Reece and Hamilton for third, Gibbs received a three seconds bonus time. The trio clocked a bunch time of two hours 46 minutes 07.93 seconds.
Niles won stage one (Corriverton to New Amsterdam) in 1.45.33. McKay was second and Kennedy third.
Stage two (Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue) was won by Gibbs in a time of 2:34.21.25, while Hamilton placed second and Bentley third.
Niles out-sprinted Bentley for first place yesterday while Gibbs out-sprinted Reece and Hamilton for third, just about two minutes after the first two finishers had crossed the finish line.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport after the race, Gibbs said he was a bit disappointed at not wining the event for a fifth consecutive year, but is happy that his club mate (Reece) won.
He however said he is disappointed that Roraima Bikers' Kennedy did not come out the winner. "He went into the final stage (yesterday) leading me by two minutes 10 seconds, but did too much pacing on the (Linden) highway. He really rode unintelligently, he should not have done so much pacing in the highway. He should have reserved his energy for the later part of the race" Lyre said.
Lyre said he knew it was difficult for him (Lyre) to win a fifth consecutive year since he went into the stage two minutes 10 seconds behind Kennedy and everyone was watching him (Lyre), not wanting him to go on any break "if I attack they would bring back the bunch to me, they did not want me to win a fifth time" Lyre stated.
Reece on the other hand said he was elated about winning the grueling event for the first time. He said he trained very hard this year and was also much more wiser having learnt from his mistakes last year.
Soon after the riders were sent off from Kara Kara, Linden Highway, Niles attacked the bunch and opened a small lead but was sucked in after enjoying the lead for 10 minutes. Bentley then countered but he too was sucked in back.
When the bunch reached Loo Creek, Lyre attacked, but Bentley followed and connected and the two enjoyed a 30-second lead over the chasing pack which included Vinesh Narine, Suriname's Patrick Hart, Kennedy, Newton, Reece, Paul Cho-Wee-Nam and Leer Nunes.
The lead extended when the leaders reached Long Creek, but shortened as they approached Splashmin's Fun Park.
The two were subsequently sucked in.
Niles and Bentley then went to the head of affairs and were never challenged thereafter.
The chasing bunch then resorted to playing the `Cat and Mouse' game until they turned unto the homestretch when Lyre attacked, Reece and Hamilton followed and Lyre out-sprinted the other two to the line.
Meanwhile, the presentation of prizes to the respective winners will be done on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from noon.
