Hamilton, Mangroo favourites to take Three-Stage title…
First and second stage records broken
By Leeron Brumell
Guyana Chronicle
May 16, 2004
TYRONE Hamilton and Stephen Mangroo will be blazing the trail today to determine the winner of Guyana’s premier cycling event, the 22nd annual Three-Stage cycle road race, when the third and final stage pedals off from Kara Kara, Linden. They both smashed records in the first and the second stages of the event.
Hamilton, second to Mangroo in the first stage, turned the tables by winning the second stage by some five metres in a time of 2:31.07 with Christopher Gonsalves trailing in for the third position.
Top names in the event, Hamilton and Mangroo, preceded by the wailing of sirens of Police escorts, were neck and neck in the sprint, but Hamilton, proving stronger and with more stamina, raised his hands in celebration after his worthy opponent ‘chucked’ the sprint.
All were given the same timing since one official said they started the sprint some 200m up Carifesta Avenue together. However others thought differently, since Gonsalves had dropped in the sprint and finished more than ten metres behind.
The previous record was 2:34.21.25.
Raymond Newton, who finished in the second bunch, and Gonsalves claimed two of the six prime prizes up for grabs in the second stage while Hamilton and Mangroo had one each.
Mangroo, who resides in Trinidad and Tobago, claimed the first stage in a time of 1:40.12.76, followed by Hamilton, 1:40:21.06 and young Gerald Fowler 1:41.02.30.
The previous record of one hour and 47 minutes was set over seven years ago by Alex Mendes.
Seconds separate the two elite riders going into today’s final leg.
A pleased and relieved Hamilton, after the second stage of the race, told Chronicle Sport that the first stage was very hard and he was pleased with the record.
“The pressure I felt this morning probably got me strong so I was able to win.”
He said in the second leg from Rosignol the road was wet and muddy, compounded with the fact that repairs were being done to the roadway. So they took it easy.
“I’m hoping to win again, because I came in this race to win. I’ve never won it before so this year I’m trying to win it.”
Mangroo said he was on the attack from the beginning, so he knew he was riding well from the morning stage.
Describing the gruelling second stage Mangroo said, “There was some rain and a whole lot of dirt, the road is really terrible, but it was nice. It was a top stage.”
Today’s third stage begins at 08:00 hrs at Kara Kara, proceeds down the East Bank Highway past Thirst Park, into Mandela Avenue, ending on Homestretch Avenue.
President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Hector Edwards, was high in praise for the cyclists, officials and more so the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
“Security was fantastic. I’ve never seen the police work as effectively as they’ve worked this morning, especially in Berbice. I was amazed at how clear the road was. It was a real good job, I think it’s the best that I’ve seen in my 23 years.”
He said there was also a strong Police presence along the roadway and at intersections.
Edwards said the competition speaks for itself since around 12 to 13 minutes had been taken off the record set by Godfrey Pollydore in 1996, and he expects some 25 minutes to be taken off in total when the event concludes. This stage measures 101 km.
Yesterday morning’s first stage began at the Springlands Police Station and ended at New Amsterdam, while the second stage began at Rosignol and ended on Carifesta Avenue.
Organiser of the event, Hassan Mohamed, was also high in praise for the work of the Guyana Police Force, noting that in the 22-year history of the event he has never seen such a fantastic operation by the lawmen.
Hassan said there were roadblocks set up at strategic points to stem the flow of traffic, thereby allowing the 63 starters to race smoothly.
Some 40 cyclists started the second stage but according to Edwards, only around half that number completed the course.
The defending champion Andrew Reece and one of the crowd favourites Dwayne ‘Road Hogg’ Gibbs did not participate in the event.
Course Director of the Level Two Olympic Solidarity-sponsored course Aubrey Bryce, who participated in the event, said that he was surprised that Gibbs had not entered.
Bryce said it somehow took away from the flare of the event, since he was relishing the challenge.
The event is sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC).