TOP cyclists from the across the country will today light up the outer circuit of the Seawall Bandstand from 09:00hrs, when the 11th annual Roraima Bikers Club/ NAMILCO CARICOM Day Wheat Up’ race is staged.

In the 12-race programme the top riders will benefit from increased cash prizes due to an increase by sponsors, who this year have injected $500 000 into the day’s programme, a significant boost from last year’s $400 000 investment.
In its formative years, the race was held on the East Bank Public Road before being switched to today’s venue a few years ago – a move that NAMILCO’s Finance Controller Fitzroy McLeod viewed as creating a family atmosphere, something that has been achieved thus far.
At last year’s programme, the area around the Seawall Bandstand was packed with cycling enthusiasts, members of the cycling fraternity as well as curious onlookers who gathered to witness competitive racing in a unique environment.
Being pleased with this sight, McLeod said NAMILCO will continue to work with RBC to ensure the programme remains a success, noting that the company’s injection of increased funds is indicative of this.
While the day’s activities will cater for all categories of riders, the feature event, which will be open to all cyclists, will be for 30 laps around the Seawall Bandstand circuit. With defending champion and Commonwealth Games selectee Alanzo Greaves not here to defend his crown, several other riders will fancy their chance of taking home the $30 000 top prize, a trophy and year’s supply of Wheat Up.
Not to be left out, the top six finishers will receive cash prizes and trophies while there will be 15 prime prizes on offer in the 30-lap feature event. In Greaves’ absence, his fellow Commonwealth Games team-mates Geron Williams, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams and Raynauth ‘Obeah Man’ Jeffrey are expected to excel.
Other races carded for the day include the 12-14 Juveniles (three laps), Juniors Category Four (five laps), Categories One to Three (five laps), Veterans Under-50 (five laps), Veterans Over-50 (five laps), Win and Out Open (eight laps), Points race (12 laps), Mountain Bikes Open (five laps), BMX 6-9 (two laps), BMX 10-14 (two laps) and Females (five laps), with the top three finishers receiving prizes.

(By Calvin Roberts)