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THE stars of Guyana’s cycling fraternity came out yesterday, but Alonzo Greaves shone brighter as he captured the National Sports Commission (NSC) 35-lap feature race at the National Park. Organised by National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, yesterday’s activity was kept under the ‘Teach Them Young’ cycling programme in keeping with the NSC’s Mashramani celebrations.
It took Greaves one hour 38 minutes 5 seconds to conquer the star-studded field. Greaves had finished sixth place in the same race last year which was won by Warren ’40’ McKay who was not present to defend his crown.
2012 Junior Caribbean cycling championship gold medallist Paul De Nobrega was second and Orville Hinds finished third. Horace Burrowes, John Charles and Alex Mendes finished in that order to round off the top six finishers.
Forty-two competitors started the day’s premier race and as added incentives, for the first six laps, the first cyclist to cross the line was given $1 000.
That announcement prior to the start of the race saw the event start at a blistering pace as cyclists looked to cash in.
Greaves and Charles sped to the front and enjoyed a significant lead up until the seventh lap when the rest of the hungry cyclists caught up with them and the lead was shared until the top three finishers separated themselves around the 28th lap mark.
A pack that was kept in check by Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, including the likes of Eric Sankar, Walter Grant-Stuart, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam, Enzo Matthews and Raymond Newton, had attempted to give chase to the trio upfront.
But with Greaves holding on to a slim lead, their chase proved futile as the national cyclist came off his saddle and, using his superb sprinting skills, made a last dash to the finish line, raising his arms high to signal his triumph.
In the other races, Junior Niles took the Veterans Under-50 title, edging US-based Berbician Wilbert Benjamin and Kennard Lovell, who placed second and third respectively.
Makel Diaz proved to be the best on the day in the BMX Boys Open category ahead of Jamel John and Khemraj Sanichar, while Romelo Crawford got the nod over Alfie Sonaram and Tyrique Hall to lift the 12-14 category trophy.
The Veterans Over-60 years race was won by Maurice Fagundes while Joseph Faria and Harry Lall finished second and third respectively.
Raul Leal took 23 minutes to win the Juniors and Juveniles 10-lap race ahead of Alonzo Ambrose and Akeem Arthur.
Stephano Husbands came out on top over Ozia McAully and Julio Melville to win the Upright race.
The two-lap BMX Boys’ six-to-nine years race was won by Jeremiah Harrison with cousins Isaiah and Christopher Sahadeo pedalling second and third respectively.
At the presentation ceremony, Mohamed thanked the NSC for their sponsorship and the cyclists for participating in the meet and making the programme successful.
Meanwhile, the cyclists will be in action today in a 40-mile race scheduled to start at 09:00hrs at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge; proceed to Bushy Park, Parika, before returning to the point of origin for the finish
It took Greaves one hour 38 minutes 5 seconds to conquer the star-studded field. Greaves had finished sixth place in the same race last year which was won by Warren ’40’ McKay who was not present to defend his crown.
2012 Junior Caribbean cycling championship gold medallist Paul De Nobrega was second and Orville Hinds finished third. Horace Burrowes, John Charles and Alex Mendes finished in that order to round off the top six finishers.
Forty-two competitors started the day’s premier race and as added incentives, for the first six laps, the first cyclist to cross the line was given $1 000.
That announcement prior to the start of the race saw the event start at a blistering pace as cyclists looked to cash in.
Greaves and Charles sped to the front and enjoyed a significant lead up until the seventh lap when the rest of the hungry cyclists caught up with them and the lead was shared until the top three finishers separated themselves around the 28th lap mark.
A pack that was kept in check by Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, including the likes of Eric Sankar, Walter Grant-Stuart, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam, Enzo Matthews and Raymond Newton, had attempted to give chase to the trio upfront.
But with Greaves holding on to a slim lead, their chase proved futile as the national cyclist came off his saddle and, using his superb sprinting skills, made a last dash to the finish line, raising his arms high to signal his triumph.
In the other races, Junior Niles took the Veterans Under-50 title, edging US-based Berbician Wilbert Benjamin and Kennard Lovell, who placed second and third respectively.
Makel Diaz proved to be the best on the day in the BMX Boys Open category ahead of Jamel John and Khemraj Sanichar, while Romelo Crawford got the nod over Alfie Sonaram and Tyrique Hall to lift the 12-14 category trophy.
The Veterans Over-60 years race was won by Maurice Fagundes while Joseph Faria and Harry Lall finished second and third respectively.
Raul Leal took 23 minutes to win the Juniors and Juveniles 10-lap race ahead of Alonzo Ambrose and Akeem Arthur.
Stephano Husbands came out on top over Ozia McAully and Julio Melville to win the Upright race.
The two-lap BMX Boys’ six-to-nine years race was won by Jeremiah Harrison with cousins Isaiah and Christopher Sahadeo pedalling second and third respectively.
At the presentation ceremony, Mohamed thanked the NSC for their sponsorship and the cyclists for participating in the meet and making the programme successful.
Meanwhile, the cyclists will be in action today in a 40-mile race scheduled to start at 09:00hrs at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge; proceed to Bushy Park, Parika, before returning to the point of origin for the finish
