The talented Alexander Leung stunned a field of senior cyclists way above his age on Sunday to cop the overall title in the 17th annual Regan Rodrigues memorial road race on the West Demerara roadways.
The 14-year-old We Stand United rider crossed the finish line first at Schoonord. The 44-mile race started at Schoonord and turned at Bushy Park, Parika, on the upward journey.
Leung stopped the clock at one hour, 41 minutes, 28.45 seconds (01h: 41m: 28.45), finishing ahead of Alex Mendes, Kemuel Moses, Paul DeNobrega, Segun Hubbard and Deeraj Garbarran in that order.
“The race was a bit challenging I must say,” Leung said after his victory.
“It was really hard to establish the break going up, and coming down the breeze was hard, but with the help of my teammate Briton John everything came true.”
“It felt really good to win a senior race because not every day you see a 14-year-old pick up a bike and go and ride and win a senior race.”
Leung expressed gratitude to his parents Maria and Engelbert, his brother Lee and his teammates for their support on race day.
By virtue of his overall success, Leung was the automatic winner of the Junior category, winning ahead of Aaron Newton and Sherwin Sampson, who ended in second and third respectively.
Mendes and Hubbard took 1-2 in the Veterans race, followed by Kwame Ridley in third and Paul Chooweenam fourth.
Ian Jackson copped the award for the oldest cyclist who started the race.
The race was sponsored by Ricks and Sari Agro Industries Limited and coordinated by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.
Rodrigues, who passed away in August 2004, served as President of the Carlton Wheelers Cycling Club and was also a champion race car driver.
