Cutting edges Leung to Independence Three-Stage Cycling Title

The Diamond Jubilee edition of Guyana’s Independence Three-Stage Road Race delivered a historic, edge-of-your-seat finale, with 19-year-old Ajani Cutting dramatically pipping 18-year-old Alexander Leung to claim his first-ever elite overall crown.

Fully sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport through the National Sports Commission (NSC) and organised by the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), the 43rd edition of the prestigious race featured a new route.

Stepping away from the traditional Berbice route, this year’s course took riders through gruelling terrain across Linden, West Demerara, and Georgetown—a choice widely applauded by cyclists for providing an elite international-level challenge.

The gruelling multi-stage event forced riders to navigate distinct challenges across two intense days of racing, culminating in an epic sprint finish in the capital:

Stage 1: Linden to Mabura Highway and Back

• Distance by Category: * Elites, Juniors, 35+ Masters, Cat 4 & Vets Over 50: 45 Miles
  • Females & Juveniles: 25 Miles
• Stage Winner: Geron Williams (Continental) took a thrilling opening victory in 1:51:20.83, narrowly beating out Robin Persaud and Paul DeNobrega in a tight bunch finish.

Stage 2: Linden to Long Creek and Back

• Time: May 23, 2:00 PM
• Distance by Category: * Elites, Juniors, 35+ Masters: 60 Miles
  • Cat 4 & Vets Over 50: 40 Miles
  • Females & Juveniles: 25 Miles
• Stage Winner: Robin Persaud (Carlton Wheelers) claimed the second stage in 2:39:39.05, out-duelling Alex Mendes and Paul DeNobrega to shake up the general classification standings going into the final day.

Stage 3: Schoonord to Parika and Back to Georgetown

• Distance by Category: * Elites, Juniors, 35+ Masters: 60 Miles
  • Cat 4 & Vets Over 50: 40 Miles
  • Females & Juveniles: 25 Miles
• The Route: Cyclists departed from Schoonord, raced down to Parika, and made a historic return across the Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge, traversing the new Eccles-to-Ogle Highway before a frantic finish outside the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In what was his first major tour since celebrating his 19th birthday and stepping up to the elite ranks, Cutting of Kaieteur Attack Racing showed tactical maturity far beyond his years.

The final push into Georgetown quickly transformed into a ferocious battle. As the peloton hammered down the final kilometres, Cutting found himself locked in a fierce, high-speed sprint against Continental’s 18-year-old phenom Alexander Leung and Team Velocity’s Linden standout Mark Lewis.

Leung crossed the line to capture the individual Stage 3 win in 2:27:42.00 after a crucial 10-second bonus time was factored in.

However, Cutting’s superb positioning earned him an aggregate General Classification (GC) time of 6:58:46.88—just enough to defend his lead and secure the overall title by a mere 12 seconds over Leung (6:58:58.88). Lewis rounded out the overall podium in third with a combined time of 6:59:15.88.

While the youngsters stole the show in the elite tier, seasoned riders and emerging prospects locked down victories across the other categories:

• Juniors: Alexander Leung (Continental) added a dominant junior title to his second-place overall elite finish.
• Masters 35-50: Segun Hubbard of Team Evolution claimed the division title on Stage 3, clocking 2:28:46.03.
• Category Four: Mark Lewis (Team Velocity) showcased immense strength to take the Cat 4 stage win in $2:27:53.01, utilising a 5-second time bonus.
• Masters 50+: Flying Star’s veteran Junior Niles rode away with a spectacular victory in 1:55:37.10, fending off challenges from Talim Shaw and Ray Harlequin.
• Females: The ageless 59-year-old Denise Jeffrey of Team Evolution added another major piece of silverware to her cabinet, comfortably winning the female category in 1:34:25.03.
• Juveniles: The multi-talented Justin Ten Pow put on a clinic to outpace his peers and rightfully secure the juvenile title.