THE 30th Annual National Sports Commission (NSC) sponsored three- stage cycle road race which is held to coincide with Guyana’s Independence Anniversary celebrations, will pedal off on Saturday May 12, and conclude the following day. The event is organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed and with Guyana celebrating her 46th year as an independent country since achieving such status from England on May 26, 1966, a large contingent of cyclists both local and foreign is expected to compete for supremacy.
The race which has Yosmani Pol who rides under the Team Cocos banner as its defending champion, will cover a total distance of 171.5 Miles (274.3km), with the first stage moving off from Corriverton Police Station at 07:30hrs and proceed to New Amsterdam, covering a distance of 46.6 miles.
The second stage will take place the same day from 14:00hrs, moving from Rosignol on the West Coast of Berbice and proceeding to Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, a distance of 60.4 miles while the third and final stage will pedal off the following morning.
The remaining cyclists will proceed to Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown, after moving off from Kara Kara in the mining town of Linden at 0:800hrs to compete in the 64.5 miles stage, which is the longest of the event.
Cyclist in the caliber of Alonso Greaves, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, Warren ‘40’ Mc Kay, Geron Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Albert Philander, Robin Persaud, Paul De Nobrega, Dwayne Jupiter and overseas based Godfrey Pollydore, just to name a few, are expected to compete in this event.
Cyclists are required to register their names with their respective clubs or team manager for submission not later than Thursday May 03 during normal working hours at the NSC, 91 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg office.
Transportation will leave the NSC Office at 12:00hrs with cyclists and officials on Friday May 11 for Springlands and as a reminder, cyclists are requested to wear their club jerseys, numbers issued, and licence before the start of the event, as without such requirements they cannot start the event.
Pol completed last year’s event in a time of 6h.39m:34secs.