THE Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) will be holding its Annual National Cycling Championships in the mining town of Linden this Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the time trials will be contested from 14:00hrs, from the top of Madewini Hill proceeding to the Toll Gate and back. Transportation leaves the National Park at 12:00hrs.
The following day, the national road race of which Walter Grant-Stuart is the defending champion will pedal off from Amelia’s Ward entrance, proceed to Madewini and return, for the seniors. The juniors will journey to Kuru Kuru Hill and return to the place of origin for the finish, while the ladies and veteran cyclists will go to Dora and return.
For Sunday’s event, transportation will depart from in front of Distribution Services Limited (DSL) on Mandela Avenue at 05:30hrs and, according to a press release sent from the GCF, both events are expected to be very competitive, taking into consideration the present form of the cyclists.
Grant-Stuart can expect stiff and sturdy competition from Alonso Greaves, Robin Persaud, Jude Bentley, Leer Nunes, Warren McKay, Marlon Williams, Enzo Matthews and Linden’s very own Orville Hinds, in his defence of the title.
For the junior category, of which Paul De Nobrega is the defending champion, the vast-improving Raynauth Jeffrey along with Raul Leal, Kurt La Rose and even young Alfie Sonaram are expected to give him a challenge for the crown.
Junior Niles is the Veterans category champion, but with the present form being displayed by Kennard Lovell, Stephen Fernandes, Shameer Baksh, Virgil Jones and Ian Jackson, he would need to ride with his ‘A’ form, if he intends to win this category once again.
Marica Dick and Naomi Singh are two worthy customers who can challenge defending ladies’ champion Hazina Barrett for her crown, but the cyclists from the mining town are no push-overs and she would be looking to not only give her home town fans something to cheer about, but also maintain her supremacy over her rivals.