Garcia takes lead in race for 42nd Independence Three-Stage title

Colombian rider Matteo Garcia has established a commanding position in the 42nd edition of the Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race, winning both stages on Saturday to build a significant lead heading into the final day of competition.

Competing for the Trinidadian outfit Team Raiders, his impressive performance has given him a formidable 56-second advantage in the general classification, making him the firm favourite ahead of Sunday’s decisive stage.

Garcia has an overall time of four hours, two minutes, and 0.2 seconds (4:02:02).

The chasing pack is led by Masters (35-50) competitor Robin Persaud of Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club.

He is followed by a quartet of riders who will be looking to challenge for a podium spot: Aaron Newton of KFC Evolution, Adam Alexander and Jaiden Naves of Team Raiders, and Christopher Griffith of KFC Evolution complete the top six in the general classification standings after the opening day.

Garcia clocked a winning time of one hour, 41 minutes, and 28 seconds on the first stage, a 45-mile test from Corriverton to New Amsterdam.

The Colombian was pushed hard by local favourite Aaron Newton (KFC Evolution), who finished just three seconds adrift in a thrilling sprint finish, recording a time of 1:41.31.

Adam Alexander, also riding for Team Raiders, secured third place in 1:42.17.

Curtis Dey, Robin Persaud, and Jaiden Neaves rounded out the top six in the opening stage.

Garcia continued his dominant display in the second stage, a challenging 62-mile journey from D’Edward Village to Liliendaal.

He once again proved too strong for his rivals, crossing the finish line in two hours, twenty minutes, and 36 seconds.

Persaud demonstrated his enduring class by finishing second in this stage, four seconds behind Garcia in two hours, twenty minutes, and 40 seconds.

Speaking to News Room Sport after the day’s racing, Robin Persaud acknowledged the difficulty in keeping pace with the elite riders but highlighted his passion for the sport as his driving force.

He admitted that overturning Garcia’s significant lead would require a “herculean task” but stated he aims to at least secure a stage win in Sunday’s final leg.

The third and final stage will see competitors tackle a circuit race in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The route will start on Greenfield Road, head east, turn left onto the first corner heading north towards Red Road, then west to the East Bank Demerara Highway before returning to Greenfield Road.

Riders are expected to complete 20 laps of this circuit, covering an approximate total distance of 62 miles.

This format differs from the usual rider from Linden to Homestretech Avenue due to the ongoing road construction on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

More so, Continental Cycling’s Alexander Leung (4:09:29) and Alex Newton (KFC Evolution) are tied in the battle for the Juniors title.

Persaud leads the Masters (35-50) with a three-minute and 49-second lead over Alexander.

In the Masters (50+), Mark Spencer of KFC Evolution leads with 4:17:03, three minutes and 37 seconds ahead of Ian Jackson (Flying Star).

Roy Mangal, another Evolution rider, leads Category Four at 4:21.12, and is 48 seconds ahead of Kwame Fortune (Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycling Club).

The National Sports Commission is solely organising the 42nd Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race.

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