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Mario Forde takes stage 4 as Pollydore retains overall lead
By Franklin Wilson
Godfrey Pollydore (centre) wins the battle for the 2nd place ahead of Marloe Rodman (right) and Warren Mc Kay.
Jamaican Mario Forde eased to victory in stage-four of the 3rd annual Ride for Life five-stage cycle road race which took place on the Essequibo Coast yesterday.
The 62 miles (100KM) contest saw Forde, who is riding as a member of the Heat Wave team of Trinidad and Tobago winning in 2 hours 40 minutes 23 seconds; the only stage to date that was slower than last year (2: 30.54).
Godfrey Pollydore however, remains the man to be beaten, finishing 2nd in this stage which enabled him to retain the overall lead going into today’s fifth and final stage from Linden to the City.
The race started very slowly and it was clear from the onset that the athletes were not interest in breaking a record; rather, the focus was on consolidating their respective positions as they seek the top prize. While the big guns were eyeing up each other as no one wanted to make a move, Enzo Matthews and Barbadian Simon Clarke broke away from the main pack at Vilvoorden to establish a healthy lead of over three minutes.
The duo, coming with the breeze maneuvered the many turns and bridges along the Coast very well as they shared duties. It was not until the downward journey that another rider connected with the leaders. Warren Mc Kay pulled away to join Matthews and Clarke at Better Hope. Soon after, they were joined by six others at Hampton Court.
The wind on the downward journey was heavy but the riders tried their utmost to break same using the full width of the road, maneuvering from one side to the other. The second pack caught up with the leaders at Three Friends Village.
The strong Jamaican riders took the challenge to the locals who never backed down as they kept within striking distance.
Mario Forde however, sensing that the cat and mouse game was continuing, decided to make a move out front and was not challenged. He had the resolve, stamina and confidence to take up the challenge on his own at Summerset Village and never looked back comfortably crossing the line ahead of competitors.
Pollydore outmuscled first stage winner Marloe Rodman (Jamaican) to take the second spot with Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay, Horace Burrowes and Robin Persaud finishing 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. Forde and Matthews took two primes each with one apiece to Mc Kay and Clarke.
Essequibians came out in numbers along the route to cheer the riders on including a young lady no more than about 4 years old who was waving a Guyana flag.
Only the fittest will survive in today’s final stage which pedals off from Cara Cara in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden at 08:30hrs today to finish on Homestretch Avenue in the City.
The hilly terrain of the Linden Soesdyke Highway will make the difference in who finishes as the champion of this 3rd annual spectacle.
Pollydore leads overall with a time of 7 hours 43 minutes 16 seconds, just 8 seconds ahead of Robin Persaud, Horace Burrowes and John Charles (7:43.25), Geron Williams (7:43.27), Alonzo Greaves (7:43.28), Marloe Rodman (7:43.45), Dwayne Gibbs (7:44.20), Simon Clarke and Marlon Morrison (7:44.30).
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