PAUL DeNobrega returned two hours 12 minutes 50.40 seconds in winning the Chris Jagdeo-sponsored, National Sports Commission (NSC)-organised Ballot-Box Martyrs 55-mile cycle road race yesterday.

Wheeling off from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Freedom House New Amsterdam, Berbice headquarters, DeNobrega was involved in several attacks and breaks heading up the Corentyne Highway and was locked in a tight battle with several other riders as they turned back at the Corriverton Police Station to finish at Number 63 Village.
Alanzo Greaves, who returned last week from a training stint in the United States of America, attacked the pack nearing the finish but was pulled in back by the chasing bunch.
With approximately 250 metres remaining, DeNobrega launched an attack and Greaves responded but was unable to overtake DeNobrega and had to settle for second.
Christopher Holder placed third, Michael Anthony fourth, Hamza Eastman fifth and Paul Cho-Wee-Nam who helped his Alaqnis team mate, DeNobrega throughout the journey, had to settle for sixth.
Junior Niles who won the veterans category which ended at Number 63 Village on the upward journey, won five of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs, while Eastman, Anthony and Holder won one each.
The Junior category was won by Anthony while Shaquiloe Agard placed second and Alonzo Ambrose.
Jaikaran Sukhai was second to Niles in the Veterans category and Linden Blackman third.
The Mountain Bike category was won by Ozia McAully. Second was Julio Melville and Emmanuel Ray Raul finished third.
The Mountain bikers also rode from New Amsterdam to Number 63 Village.
The female category was won by Marcia Dick in a time of two hours 21 minutes 46 seconds, while Monthy Parris was the first Over-60 cyclist to complete the course.
Last year winner was Godfrey Pollydore who had clocked two hours 12 minutes 49.52 seconds.
The cyclists were sent on their way by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, but not before they were given brief remarks by Regional councillor David Armogan in the presence of Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Member of Parliament Fazal Jafferally and Dr Vishnu Mahadeo.
The event was organised in memory of Jagan Ramessar and Bolo Nauth Parmanand who were shot dead on July 16, 1973 while transporting the General Elections ballot boxes to the place for counting.
Prior to the presentation ceremony which was held at the spot where the two martyrs were shot, Kumar noted that the cyclists all did extremely well for the 41st memorial activity. He reminded that Presidential Adviser Navin Chanderpal is the person who was instrumental in organising the event from its inception.
Jafferally, in brief remarks, congratulated all the participants and made mention of Ramessar and Parmanand.
He said since the shooting incident, the PPP has made the event an annual one.
Dr Anthony in his address stated that some of those in attendance would know the significance of the race.
He informed that in those days, Guyana was in a bad state and it was something that not everyone enjoyed.
He said during that year, the PPP asked its agents to ensure that the ballot boxes were sealed after votes were cast and taken to the place designated for counting, but the two party members never reached their destination as they were shot and taken on a three- to four-hour journey before they were taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead.

(By Michael DaSilva)