KEEN competition is expected on Sunday, when national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed runs off the Annual Ballot Box Martyrs 55-mile cycle road race in Berbice.

Defending champion Robin Persaud, who clocked two hours 13 minutes 04.93 seconds in winning the event last year, will have his work cut out this time around, as several of the country’s top cyclists have been performing outstandingly on the country’s roadways and will pose quite a threat to him.

Only last Monday Warren McKay won a gruelling Caricom road race that was conducted along the East Bank carriageway and Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Alonzo Greaves who seems to be coming into his own placed second in the event and will be looking to come one better on Sunday.

Leer Nunes, Junior Niles, Albert Philander, Christopher Holder and Geron Williams will also be looking to be among the spoils on Sunday and this is why Persaud will be tested.

The defending junior champion is Holder. Kennard Lovell will be defending the veterans’ category and Dexter Wilson the upright title.

The event, which is being sponsored once again by Chris Jagdeo, will reveal the top six finishers along with the top three finishers in the junior, veterans and upright categories.

The first cyclist over 60 years old to cross the line as well as the oldest cyclist will be rewarded for their efforts.

According to Mohamed the race is also open to female cyclists and prizes are on offer for them also.

The event will wheel off from Freedom House, Main Street, New Amsterdam and proceed to Corriverton Police Station before returning to finish at No.63 Village Corentyne.

However, the veterans, upright and female cyclists will only ride from Freedom House to No.63 Village.

Jagdeo, along with members of the Progressive Youth Organisation and PPP/C, will be present at the start of the event and will also be on hand to assist with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

Transportation for cyclists and officials will move off from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport office at 05:00 h on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, the Annual Teach Them Young cycle programme, organised by Mohamed for the past 32 years, will once again be held this year starting on Monday morning in the National Park.

The activity, which concludes on September 5, is open to the general public as well as active cyclists.

Sessions will be held from 09:00 h to 11:00 h Mondays to Fridays.