In a four-way battle to the finish line, it was Alonzo Greaves of Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) who went into overdrive to outfox 2009 Junior Sportsman Geron Williams (Continental Cycle Club), Robin Persaud (Kaieteur Cycle Club) and Albert Philander (RBC) in that order to claim the 13th Cheddi Jagan Memorial 55-mile cycle road race held in Berbice yesterday.
This race, sponsored by BK International Inc. was by far the most tactical and competitive in a long time with the lead changing hands ever so often as they riders sought to wear down each other in a grueling event on a sun soaked and very windy day.
Greaves’ winning time of 2 hours 29 minutes 20 seconds was testimony to the challenging race conditions as it was almost 15 minutes slower than last year’s 2 hours 15 minutes 46.52 seconds achieved by Warren Mc Kay who was not up to the challenge this year, finishing way down the line.
Daniel Ramchurejee another Kaieteur member and Marlon Morrison (RBC) placed 5th and 6th respectively. The first junior to cross the line was top Berbician rider Neil Reece (Flying Ace Cycle Club) ahead of Rastaff O’Selmo and another home boy, Nasim Jandoo.
Junior Niles rode a smart race to take the veteran category with Virgil Jones and Kennard Lovell placing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Berbice also claimed the top spot among the females with Marcia Dick winning the event ahead of fellow Inter Guiana Games colleague, Naiomi Singh.
Marlon King ruled the upright category with Davendra Bissoon and Ravendra Rodrigues following in that order. Walter Isaacs was the winner of the over-60 category, 75 year-old Edward Williams received a trophy as the oldest competitor while Anthony Ferrier also received a special trophy as the person responsible for lobbying the organisers to introduce the over-60 category.
The race commenced in cool condition just outside the PPP New Amsterdam Office, Main Street New Amsterdam with regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha sending the 50 competitors on their way. Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay attacked from the start.
From the onset, with such a star studded field, the feeling was that the event was not going to be a run away for any one or two riders.
Enzo Matthews (KCC), who did well despite not placing in the top six, developed mechanical problems with his chain but mustered the resolve to do his bit for his teammates.
Heading into the No. 19 Road the cyclists were confronted with heavy north/easterly winds that slowed them up considerably. Even the coconut trees were swaying heavily as a result of the winds.
Junior Niles, Mc Kay and Linden Blackman were in pole but were soon joined on the No.19 Road by the ultra fit Robin Persaud and Alonzo Greaves, the 5 developing a 55 second lead on the pack.
As they approached Albion, the lead was cut down to 43 seconds. Geron Williams and Enzo Matthews brought back the pack and they connected with the leaders at Rose Hall Corentyne. Thereafter, the lead continued to change hands among the front runners.
At the turn back point (No. 55 Village) Ramchurejee, Albert ‘Bertie’ Philander, Geron Williams, Robin Persaud and Alonzo Greaves kept up the pace. Tragedy almost struck when Robin Persaud was almost kicked off of his cycle by a cow, a plight which continues to pose a number of problems for the riders.
Persaud, who featured on every breakaway during the race, underlining his high level of fitness, did not allow the cow to spoil his day and was able to keep his focus on the task at hand. When he connected with pack a few minutes after, he immediately attacked again.
By that time Neil Reece, Paul Nichols, Matthews and Morrison, who had fallen back, approaching the turn back point, reconnected.
The tactical maneuvers continued to be a part of the race with the mental and physical attributes of the competitors also being heavily taxed. The extreme heat saw the feeders for the various riders having to use lots of water to cool down their cyclists.
In the sprint home, Greaves who at times seemed to be struggling proved yet again to be one of the best in the sprinting department. Williams also rode well to come back and place second. Other riders doing well were Reece and Ramchurejee.
At the presentation ceremony, Chairman of the Commemoration Committee Navin Chandrapal congratulated all the competitors and officials for combining efforts to make the event a resounding success.
He noted that a similar race is also done in the Counties of Demerara and Essequibo to celebrate the life and work of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his wife Janet Jagan, both former Presidents of Guyana.
“You are doing us proud by the standard and level of your performances and I would like to thank you for the high turnout we saw today {yesterday}. Everyone is a winner and you’re a winner because you are contributing to a great cause. I want to congratulate you and wish you continued improvement in your cycling future.”
Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who chaired yesterday’s proceedings, informed that next year for the month (March) of celebrations, there will be four cycle races and each participant will also receive a medal. Kumar also noted in brief remarks that the Government continues to make a heavy investment in the area of sports development.
The second leg of the 3-part Cheddi Jagan race series is set for the West Demerara on March 21st beginning at the Wales Police Station proceeding to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo before returning to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish.
The third race is set for the Essequibo Coast on March 28 pedaling off from Supenaam to Charity before returning to Suddie for the finish.
Also yesterday, the Commemoration Committee launched the 3rd annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Football tournament which has attracted teams from Bartica and Linden.
by Franklin Wilson.