Anthony outsprints Greaves to win title for first time

LINDENER Michael Anthony outsprinted Alanzo Greaves to win the open category of the 17th Annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle road race that was staged in the West Demerara area yesterday.

The event, which was organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, wheeled off from outside the Wales Police Station and saw several cyclists trying to go on breaks. The leading bunch included top female cyclist Naomi Singh who contested the open category challenging her male rivals as far as Uitvlugt when she was dropped.
She, however, failed to finish among the top riders and could not have been awarded a prize.
On the return journey from Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo, Anthony, Greaves, Paul DeNobrega, Robin Persaud, Delroy Hinds and Hamza Eastman broke from the pack and established a sizeable lead which they maintained until the end of the race, and Anthony outsprinted his rivals to take first place ahead of Greaves.
DeNobrega placed third and last year’s champion Robin Persaud fourth.
Hinds placed fifth and Eastman sixth.
Orville Hinds, Eastman and Junior Niles each won two of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs while Delroy Hinds and Marlon `Fishy’ Williams won one each.
Anthony, who is still a junior by virtue of winning the overall race, also copped the junior category ahead of Steffano Husbands and Silvio Innis respectively.
Ravendra Roopnarine, Talim Shaw and Kennard Lovell placed first, second and third respectively in the veterans category while Michael Holder won the mountain bike category ahead of Wayne Nurse and Nigel Jacobs respectively.
Toshanannah Doris won the female category. Before the presentation of prizes to the respective winners, race organiser Mohamed congratulated the participants and noted that all of them were winners since their participation in the activity to commemorate the life of late Dr Cheddi Jagan is of essence.
Chairman of the Dr Cheddi Jagan Commemoration Committee, Navin Chanderpal, in brief remarks, reminded that Dr Jagan was always keen to see sports as a unifying force among Guyanese.
He said Dr Jagan had a special interest in seeing sports and culture go hand in hand.
Chanderpal said cycling especially has grown tremendously.
He noted that the cyclists who have been a part of the event over the years have proved that they want to move the sport and activity forward.
“Your participation is an indication that you want to move the sport forward,” Chanderpal declared.
Chanderpal thanked Jiffy Auto Sales and Spares for coming on board at the last minute and sponsoring the first stage of the three-stage event which continues on Sunday in Berbice.
Jiffy Auto Sales and Spares representative Javid Shadick said his company is pleased to be associated with the event. He congratulated the participants and committed his company’s sponsorship for years to come.
Former Minister of Government Bibi Shadick in brief remarks said it is always a pleasure to witness a cycle race in the West Demerara area, but is saddened by the fact that since Dr Jagan died 17 years ago, it is only the sixth year that the Region is hosting a cycle race in his honour.
She congratulated Singh for competing against the males and expressed the hope that the race would only get bigger and better in the Region.

(By Michael DaSilva)