MINISTER of Education Dr Rupert Roopnarine yesterday sent off some participants for this year’s 33rd Annual Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race on an encouraging note from the Ministry of Sport head office, located on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.Addressing the few cyclists and parents who turned up at the office before leaving for Corentyne, Berbice, Dr Roopnarine, who assumed the post of Minister of Education after the Coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/Alliance For Change (AFC) won the May 11 General and Regional Elections, told those present that his ministry, under which sports now falls, will be very supportive to the sport of cycling once it (Ministry) is approached.
The minister noted that in the absence of regional and international cyclists gracing this year’s event with their presence, the local pedal-pushers this year have an opportunity to compete among themselves for top honours.
He said that while it would have been good to have regional and international riders to compete against and probably beat them, it is still good that the locals, participating in this year’s event would be able to have fun among themselves.
The Independence race was originally planned for May 16 and 17, but because of the May 11 Elections, it had to be rescheduled for this weekend.
According to national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, invitations were sent to several Regional and International Federations affiliated to the International Cycling Union and responses were received, but because the cyclists who had planned coming to Guyana for the May 16 and 17 dates had already applied for leave from their jobs and soon after learnt that the event had to be rescheduled, they were/are not in a position to make changes to the time frame.
However, as of yesterday, 51 local cyclists have been registered and will face the starter at 08:00hrs outside the Corriverton Police Station from where they will do battle over 46.6 miles and end at the corner of Main and Alexander Streets, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Stage two will get under way also at 14:00hrs from the Rosignol Stelling and the cyclists will travel to Carifesta Avenue for the finish, which should be at approximately 16:20hrs.
Stage three will wheel off at 08:00hrs from Kara Kara, Linden Highway and end on Homestretch Avenue at approximately 10:50hrs.

By Michael DaSilva