O’Selmo & Newton win Junior & Veteran categories
Geron Williams continues to enjoy excellent success in his first full fledged year as a senior cyclist. Yesterday he won his second race in as many starts on the West Demerara this year when he crossed the line ahead of four others in the National Sports Commission (NSC) Annual Mashramani 40-mile event.
Williams, the 2009 Junior Sportsman of the year, crossed the line in one hour 44 minutes 13 seconds to beat into 2nd place Alonzo Greaves who was followed by Robin Persaud, Raymond Newton, Daniel Ramchurejee and Albert Philander in that order.
Junior competitor Rastaff O’Selmo of Linden also won his second consecutive race following victory in the Forbes Burnham Birth anniversary event. O’Selmo out-pedaled Paul De Nobrega in an exciting finish.
Veteran Raymond ‘Steely’ Newton continued his phenomenal form early in the season with his 3rd consecutive win while placing among the overall best. Newton took this category with Junior Niles copping 2nd.
Persaud claimed 2 of the 6 primes with one each to Williams, Greaves, Newton and Darren Allen.
Thirty-five competitors faced starter’s orders and sought to gain the early initiative by establishing a lead. That was done by Persaud and Greaves who went on the attack at Ruimzeight closely followed by Williams. The trio established a handsome lead at Blankenburg and never looked back.
After turning around for the downward journey at Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo, the duo of Newton and Ramchurejee connected with the leaders and they were never threatened by the others. Sixth placed Philander crossed the line more than 2 minutes after the front runners.
Attention will now switch to the Ancient County of Berbice for the First in the three part series in memory of the Late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
This race will be held on Sunday pedaling off outside the PPP Office at New Amsterdam at 09:00hrs.