RORAIMA Bikers Club’s Warren ‘40’ Mc Kay outsprinted his club mate and defending champion Alonso Greaves to take the National Sports Commission (NSC) organised Open 40 miles road race yesterday morning, despite the sweltering heat and windy conditions. Forty-five (45) cyclists, including two female competitors in national road race champion Hazina Barrett and Naomi Singh, along with 12 juniors and the same number of veterans, were sent on their way by national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed from the Demerara Harbour Bridge where they proceeded to Bushy Park, on the East Bank of Essequibo and back to the place of origin for the finish.
There were numerous mini breaks during the journey of the race, which saw cyclists in the caliber of Robin Persaud, Junior Niles, Raymond Newton, Jude Bentley, Leer Nunes, Raynauth Jeffrey, Christopher Persaud Jnr, Eric Sankar and Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams competing.
As the peloton made the final turn for home, Jeffrey made a move to front, but was caught within the blink of an eye by Mc Kay, Greaves and Robin Persaud caught up with him, with Mc Kay leading Greaves and Robin Persaud over the finish line in a time of 1:44: 15secs.
Niles, Geron Williams and Newton rounded off the top six positions who all received cash incentives, while Raul Leal and Jeffrey were the top two juniors and Niles and Newton the two top Veterans, while the six sprint prizes that were up for grabs was taken by Jeffrey and Michael Anthony who had two each, with Orville Hinds and Devan and Bissoo sharing the other two.
At the brief presentation ceremony which followed, both Mohammed and Director of Sports within the NSC Neil Kumar lauded the cyclists for the sportsmanship displayed during the staging of the race, while Kumar called for more officials to assist with the officiating of races on the local scene.
According to Kumar, the cyclists will be kept active this season since he saw Mohammed’s plans for this year and while he urged them to remain focus and assist Mohammed who is doing his very best for the sport, he heaped praise on the national coach whom he said organized over 30 races for the NSC in 2011.
“You have numerous races scheduled for this year, apart from the ALBA and Inter-Guiana Games. Hassan has a packed itinerary for cycling this year. But while I call on you the cyclists to show your appreciation and support, I would like to call on more persons to come out and assist with officiating.
To this end, the NSC will be organising a training programme for cycling officials and intended officials, as we wish to have more individuals integrated with cycling and the officiating of same, in the not too distant future” stated Kumar.
In an invited comment, Mc Kay said he felt pleased with his performance and the win, despite the strong windy conditions they were forced to contend with on the downward journey, while he heaped praise on his RBC teammates, whom he said competed the event in unison.
A moment’s silence was observed for the passing of junior cyclist Justin De Nobrega, the younger brother of Paul de Nobrega who was accidentally shot and killed on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway two weeks ago.
The cyclists will turn their attention to the inner circuit of the National Park this Saturday, where they will be doing battle in the NSC Pre-Mashramani organized 11 race cycling programme which is expected to pedal off from 09.00hrs.