LINDEN’S racing cyclist Orville Hinds is all set to defend the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) sponsored 40-mile pre-Mashramani cycle road race title he won last year in the West Demerara area.The race, which is scheduled for Sunday, will see Hinds and his cycling counterparts journey from the Demerara Harbour Bridge on the West Bank of Demerara to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before returning to the place of origin for the finish.

Last year, Hinds clocked one hour 30 minutes 59.92 seconds in winning the event and this year, he is expected to receive ample support from the rest of his Team Evolution team mates in Michael Anthony, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and co-founder of the team, Stephen Fernandes.
The event which gets under way at 08:00hrs is open to all local cyclists including females and will see Team Evolution at full strength since Fernandes who missed the first two races of the 2015 cycling season is back in the country after business commitments overseas and he (Fernandes) will be out to make his presence felt.
The former national hockey player (Fernandes), though he is a veteran, has the strength, stamina and ability to support the other three members of the team.
The Roraima Bikers’ challenge will be spearheaded by outstanding rider Alanzo Greaves and this makes the event very interesting and one to witness.
The first six finishers will be rewarded for their efforts as well as the first three juniors, veterans, ladies and mountain bikers.
Raul Leal, Robin Persaud and Richard Charles will also be seeking to make a successful defence of their Junior, Veterans and Mountain Bike titles respectively.
When the 2015 cycling season opened last Saturday with the 22nd edition of the Ricks and Sari 11-race programme in the National Park, Williams won the feature 35-lap event in fine style to seal Team Evolution’s first victory since its formation one month ago.
The following day, Anthony, also of Team Evolution, made it two in a row for the team when he won the Benjamin’s Cycle Sports Shop 50-mile road race in Berbice. Hinds placed fifth in that event.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar is expected to witness the race and also make the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.