Robin Persaud raises in hands in triumph as he is about take the checkered flag ahead of Daniel Ramchurejee.In excellent weather, seasoned campaigner Robin Persaud pulled out all the stops to win the 5th annual Regan Rodrigues Memorial 50-mile cycle road race held on the West Demerara, yesterday and sponsored by Ricks and Sari Agro Industries.
Persaud, a member of the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club which was once headed by the late Rodrigues as President, won the event in a time of 1 hour 59 minutes 47 seconds ahead of last year’s junior winner Daniel Ramchurejee who flew into Guyana on Wednesday last from the USA to compete in yesterday‘s race.
In placing second, Ramchurejee successfully retained the junior title ahead of Christopher Holder and Geron Williams.
In the battle for the other top positions, physically challenged rider Walter Grant-Stewart who lost his right hand in an accident, outsprinted Ian Jackson for the 3rd position. Alex Mendes placed 5th and Junior Niles, sixth.
Also successfully defending their category top spots from last year were Berbician Gary Benjamin who took care of the veteran class; Dexter Wilson accomplished a similar feat with victory among the upright cyclists.
Persaud and Ramchurejee shared six of the 8 prime prizes evenly with one each to Warren Mc Kay and Jackson.
Benjamin, whose winning time was 1 hour 24 minutes 45 seconds, was followed to the line by Linden Blackman and Kennard Lovell while Wilson (1 hour 25 minutes 15 seconds) won ahead of Andre Petty and Shawn Frank.
Aubrey Gravesande was the first veteran to cross the line while Naiomi Singh was the lone female to compete. Berbician Marcia Dick, who along with Singh will represent Guyana at the Inter Guiana Games in October, was a no show.
Rodrigues family members were present for the presentation of prizes and hampers, which was done in drenching rain.
Each of the category winners along with the top threes seniors received hampers compliments of Ricks and Sari.