IN-FORM cyclist Geron Williams will face a stern test on Sunday, when national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed runs off the 13th edition of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Road Race.

The event which gets under way from outside the People’s Progressive Party’s/Civic Berbice headquarters, Main Street, New Amsterdam at 09:00 h is once again being sponsored by B.K. International limited.

From Main Street, the pedal pushers will journey to Number 55 Village, Corentyne, before turning back to finish at Port Mourant, a distance of 50 miles, 10 miles more than the two back-to-back 40-mile races Williams won since the 2009 cycling season began.

Can Williams go the additional 10 miles this week and emerge winner, especially when it is so early in the season? These questions and more will be answered when most of the country’s top cyclists face the starter on Sunday morning.

Judging from his victory in the R&R International Limited-sponsored 40-mile event two Sundays ago, as well as his win in the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) event over the same distance, Williams looked comfortable in his saddle and while he had to go on a heavier plate to out-sprint Marlon `Fishy’ Williams two weeks ago, he looked more comfortable winning against the odds last Sunday when he out-duelled Warren McKay, the Cheddi Jagan Memorial defending champion, to take the NSC event.

Last year, McKay returned two hours 15 minutes 46.52 seconds in beating Robin Persaud and Williams.

Last Sunday on the West Demerara, Williams appeared to be in terrific form and should he maintain that form, the opposition will be hard-pressed to beat him for the top prize.

The recently elected Continental Cycle Club captain is expected to get stiff competition from the likes of Marlon Williams, McKay, Leer Nunes, Marlon Morrison, Albert Philander, Darren Alleyne, Persaud, Christopher Holder, Daniel Ramchurjee,

Junior Niles and Raymond Newton and others.

The names mentioned above, however, do not bother Williams’ camp, as they (camp) are optimistic that their charge can pull off a third consecutive victory this Sunday.

Williams, the NSC 2009 junior Sportsman-of-the-Year has been undergoing a `custom-made’ training programme which has been designed by a former Guyana Olympian who resides overseas and according to reports from the camp, he has been complying with the instructions and responding very well.

But McKay, Nunes, Persaud and Williams would all have other ideas on Sunday and this is what will make the event a memorable one.

The first six finishers, as well as the first three finishers in the juniors, veterans, ladies and upright categories, will all receive cash prizes.

Eight prime prizes will also be up for grabs during the course of the event.

Meanwhile, the second and third legs of the Memorial event is set for later in the month with the second leg being staged in the West Demerara area and the third on the Essequibo Coast.