Robin Persaud outhustled four other riders to win the feature 35-lap race which brought the curtains down on the 33rd Annual Teach Them Young cycling clinic sponsored by the National Sports Commission and conducted by National coach, Hassan Mohamed.
Persaud, whose winning time was 1 hour 23 minutes 13.06 seconds, once again proved that he is still one of the best on the local scene as he outsprinted leading junior Geron Williams, Alex Mendes, the Berbice based pair of Turhan Harris and another junior Neil Reece in that order.
Junior Niles, who at one time during the race was leading all and sundry by more than half lap, unfortunately suffered a puncture and was eventually lapped but had the resolve to continue, eventually taking the 6th spot by outfoxing Linden’s Mark Lewis in an exciting finish, the pair playing cat and mouse in the final 300 meters.
Niles and Mendes each won two of the eight prime prizes with one apiece to Persaud, Harris, Reece and Darren Allen who did not complete the course. Alonzo Greaves also did not finish the distance after suffering a blow out on lap 15.
Reece had earlier won the juvenile 10-lap event in 27 minutes 06 seconds, Kurt La Rose and Lindsie Rigby placing 2nd and 3rd.
Richard Charles was the top upright rider on the day with victory in the 5-lap contest ahead of Kester Croal and Kevin Thomas.
Marcia Dick, another Berbician, won the 12-14 (3-lap) contest ahead of fellow Berbician Rigby and Naiomi Singh.
Niles too, was unstoppable in the veterans Under-50 clash over 5-laps. He crossed the line ahead of Harris and Davendra Ramnarine. The Over-50 race went to Aubrey Gravesande who was followed to the line by Harry Lall and Lloyd Williams.
Dineshwar Ragubeer was finally able to turn the tables on Raymond Perez who has been dominating the BMX 6-9 category in and out of the city for more than two years. Perez had to settle for the runner-up spot to Ragubeer, Romel Boodhoo placed third.
Perez however returned to whip the field in the 9-12 category, taking the top spot from Akeem Rudder of Berbice who made his debut at this facility and Christopher Griffith.
Ashley Anthony was the best BMX girl in the 6-12 race while Marlon King won the 3-lap open showdown from Marco King.
Mohamed at the presentation expressed gratitude to all the competitors at the event and all those who attended the Teach Them Young clinic to make it the success it was.
He encouraged the young ones to continue to practice what they have learnt in the 8-weeks of the programme. “Be dedicated and disciplined and do not allow yourselves to be misled.”
The athletes were encouraged to keep themselves in shape as the next three weekends will be hectic with events at the said venue. It was announced that the Annual Track Meet that is hosted at the Everest ground is set for October 4, while the Annual five-stage race will take place between November 4 – 8.
Mrs. Rita Britton assisted with the presentation of trophies and other incentives to the outstanding performers.