Persaud makes successful defence of title for second year, receives special award

ROBIN Persaud yesterday made a successful defence of his Ricks and Sari Agro Industries Limited-sponsored 50-mile cycle road race to commemorate the death anniversary of its former Carlton Wheelers president Reagan Rodrigues.

Persaud who won the event in 2012 and again in 2013, returned one hour 56 minutes 50 seconds in winning yesterday’s event, compared to one hour 57 minutes 21 seconds last year.
For his efforts, Persaud was presented with a special trophy by the Rodrigues family who saw his achievement as something worthy of recognition.
Persaud also won four of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs while Mario King who ended third overall, Paul Cho-Wee-Nam who finished fourth, Kravity Jeffrey and Alonzo Ambrose finished fifth and sixth respectively all won one prime prize. Christopher Holder settled for third.
The event which was scheduled for a 08:00hrs start got under way late due to heavy rainfall, but after being sent on their way, the more than 40 cyclists braved the rains and made their journey from outside the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara while the seniors and juniors journeyed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo, before returning to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish, The veterans and mountain bikers turned back at Uitvlugt to finish at the same location.
After completing 50 miles of rigorous riding, Jeffrey who placed fifth overall ahead of Ambrose was adjudged the first junior ahead of Ambrose and Steffon Husbands.
Davrindam Ramnarine won the veterans category ahead of Talim Shaw and Steve Ramsuchit, while Ozia McAully won the mountain bikers category ahead of Julio Melville and Deraj Garbarran respectively.
Prior to the presentation of prizes to the respective winners, race organiser and national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed thanked all the participants, stating that they are all winners, because without their participation, the event could not have been as successful as it was.
Mohamed said that the event was accident-free and thanked the traffic officers in the West Demerara area for their continued support to the sport when races are held in that area.
Mohamed reported that Persaud, who won the event in 2012 and again in 2013 and 2014, has been honoured by the Rodrigues family for his achievements and hence his reward of the beautiful trophy.
Director of sport Neil Kumar who was present felt explained that the Rodrigues family had been involved in sports for a number of years and not only have they contributed to cycling, but to many other sport disciplines.
Kumar, in recognising their presence noted that the late Reagan Rodrigues contributed his finance, time and resources to all sporting activities, especially cycling while he was alive.

(By Michael DaSilva)