ALONZO Greaves out-sprinted the opposition to win the 13th annual B.K. International Cheddie Jagan Memorial Cycle Road Race in Berbice yesterday. Geron Williams finished second while Robin Persaud placed third, Albert Philander fourth, Daniel Ramchurjee fifth and Marlon Morrison sixth.

Morrison, Greaves, Persaud and Warrenn McKay all won one prime prize each while Junior Niles and Ramchurjee won two each.

The first junior to cross the finish line was Flying Ace’s Neil Reece, while Rasstaf O’Selmo and Nazim Jaundoo finished second and third respectively.

Junior Niles won the veterans category ahead of Virgil Jones and Kennard Lovell respectively while Marlon King was the first upright cyclist to cross the finish line. Second was Davindra Bissoon and third Ravindra Rodrigues.

Marcia Dick won the ladies category ahead of Naiomi Singh while Walter Issacs was the first over-60 cyclist to finish.

The oldest to complete the distance was 75-year-old Edward Williams.

After being sent on their way by Region 6’s Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha from outside the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Berbice Headquarters in New Amsterdam, McKay launched an attack and opened a small lead which he maintained until he reached Palmyra when he was wheeled in by Raymond Newton, Persaud and Niles.

The quartet worked in tandem and maintained the lead until they reached Number 54 Village where they were joined by Williams and Greaves.

After reaching Number 55 Village and turning for the downward journey to end at Port Mourant, the leaders shared the lead which they increased over the chasing bunch and was never caught again.

Approximately 200 metres from the finish line, Ramchurjee started the sprint for home, but Philander responded immediately and the others followed, in the end, Greaves came on the outside and sailed past the opposition to win by two cycle lengths ahead of Williams who will be leaving Guyana on Wednesday for Trinidad and Tobago to participate in a series of races.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony which was held at Babu John, Director of Sports Neil Kumar thanked the participants, the Guyana Cycling Federation and race organiser Hassan Mohamed for observing the death of the President Cheddie Jagan.

Mohamed in brief remarks said he was happy to be a part of the memorial race once again, and is looking forward to the second leg of the event which would be held on the West Coast Demerara on March 21.

“Navin Chanderpal saw it fit to honour Dr. Jagan and sought sponsorship for all three legs of the annual event. I promised the Minister of Sports Dr Frank Anthony last year that I will make this event bigger this year and I’ve accomplished that.”

Director of Sports Neil Kumar promised that come next year March, there would be one race every weekend to mark the death and achievements of Dr. Jagan.
Chanderpal in his remarks noted that the occasion is one that is in keeping with what Dr. Jagan believed in, and will continue on an annual basis.