THE 11th annual Hand-in-Hand 11-race cycle programme is set for tomorrow at the National Park’s inner circuit beginning at 09:00hrs.
Defending champion Orville Hinds of Team Gillette Evolution will be using this event to fine-tune for Sunday’s Mohamed Kadir’s ounce of gold race, which is billed for Sunday as well as this month end’s `Ride for Life’ Five-stage event which is highly anticipated, since the event has taken on an international flavour with riders coming from Colombia, Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.
This makes for interesting competition tomorrow as most of the country’s top riders are expected to face the starter in what will be a thrilling event.
Recently, a number of local riders went on training and competitive sojourns in the United States and the Caribbean and from all indications, they have been preparing for this weekend’s two-day cycle programme which offers lucrative cash prizes.
While the `Ride for Life’ Five-Stage event is billed for this month end, (October 29 – November 1), this weekend’s event will give a clear indication of the Guyanese cyclists’ readiness for the gruelling four-day race (five-stage).
Orville Hinds, the winner of the Independence Three-Stage race, is the defending champion of the Hand-in-Hand main race – the testing 35-lap School Boys and Invitational.
He will face stiff competition from a large group of riders who would be keen to prove themselves. Among them the experienced Geron Williams, in-form Alanzo Greaves, the ever-improving Jamaul John, the consistent Paul DeNobrega and Raul Leal.
Other events carded for the day are the Juveniles 10-lap race; BMX 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and Open, as well as the Veterans Over-50 and Over-60.
National coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed, said he is looking forward to a large turnout of riders, primarily because it is the final race before the highly anticipated Five-Stage.
He also disclosed that senior executives of Hand-in-Hand Insurance would be on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes.