LOCAL cyclists will contest back-to-back races this weekend, as national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed will be running off two programmes.

On Saturday, there will be an 11-race programme around the National Park’s inner circuit, while on Sunday the 10th edition of the Father’s Day 50-mile race will be held in the West Demerara area.

Saturday’s programme is being sponsored by Geddes Grant (Guy) Limited, under its Anchor-Hi-Calcium brand.

The feature race on that programme will be a 35-lap race for schoolboys and novices and is expected to be keenly contested, as recently, some cyclists seem to have points to prove and are even riding against their club mates in order to do so.

Other races carded for the day are a juvenile 10-lap race, five-lap races for veterans under and over 50 years of age as well as upright cyclists and BMX races over two and three laps for boys 6-9 years old as well as 9-12 and 12-14 years of age.

The following day, local pedal pushers will face the starter outside the Wales Police Station from where they will proceed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before making the downward journey to end at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

However, the veterans and upright cyclists will turn back from Uitvlugt and will also finish at the Harbour Bridge.

The first six overall finishers will receive prizes as will the first three juniors, the first three veterans and the first three upright wheelers.

Eight prime prizes will also be up for grabs.

This event is being sponsored by Guyoil under its Castrol Brand and Brands manager Leonard Khan will be on hand to make the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

The event was won last year by John Charles, while Christopher Holder was the first junior to cross the finish line.

Gary Benjamin was the first veteran and Andrea Petty the first upright finisher.