WHEN THE dust settled in last year’s Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) National Road Championships on the Linden Highway, 22-year-old Orville Hinds of Linden claimed the top spot among the senior riders, 18-year-old Raynauth Jeffrey emerged as the junior champion; UK-based Claire Fraser-Green bettered her opponents in the female category and Junior Niles retained the veteran top spot. Prior to the quartet’s success story, Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club’s Jude Bentley had dominated the Time Trial to win same in a time of 21mins 36.39secs and while it is unclear whether Fraser-Green will be here to defend her title, the other four winners are raring and ready to go when the GCF hosts this year’s National Road Championships tomorrow and Sunday.
Tomorrow’s action will see the cyclists do battle in the Time Trials which will once again be held on the Linden Highway from 14:00hrs. All competitors will be asked to ride from the Madewini Hill (after Splashmins) to the first Toll Station and back to finish at the place of origin.
All cyclists are requested to be at the starting point at 13:00hrs for registration while the GCF is adamant as it relates to late registrants, who they say will not be tolerated or allowed to compete.
On Sunday, cyclists are asked to assemble on Homestretch Avenue, the starting point for the road race, at 06:00hrs, for registration. The event starts one hour later and will see the senior riders pedalling from Homestretch Avenue to Soweto and back for the finish.
The veteran and female cyclists will proceed to Kuru Kururu and return to Homestretch Avenue for the finish while the Juniors will ride to Long Creek (by the Antenna) and return to the place of origin.
The GCF is asking all cyclists to produce their licence that was issued this year at the time of registration for both the Time Trial and Road Races and they are asked to be attired in their respective club uniforms, with the junior cyclists being subjected to the regulated gear ratio for participation.