RAYNAUTH `Obeah Man’ Jeffrey carted off the top prize in the Alanzo Greaves’ Birthday Classic Cycle Race which was staged in the National Park yesterday and in the process, won more than $38 000 in cash.

From the start of the 30-lap event which was sponsored by Greaves for his 26th birth anniversary, Jeffrey jumped the pack immediately and opened a small lead ahead of Enzo Matthews while the main chasing bunch followed close behind.
However, after the completion of the second lap, Robin Persaud surged ahead and took the third of the $2 000 prime prizes that were up for grabs for each of the first 27 laps.
Persaud was subsequently joined by junior rider Jamal John during the fourth lap and together they worked in tandem for the next 12 laps, collecting the $2 000 prime prizes in the process.
The main chasing pack, led by Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, who did most of the work, subsequently caught up with the two leaders and immediately Greaves went to the front but the small lead was shortlived as John found a second wind and connected to him, jumped the pack and went ahead. Persaud was quick to join him once more while Greaves led the chasing pack a short distance behind.
Jeffrey then joined Persaud and John during the course of the 22nd lap and accelerated at the signal of the bell for a $22 000 prime for the first cyclist to cross the line at the conclusion of the 27- lap, Greaves moved into overdrive and took it for his birth anniversary.
The following lap also had a $22 000 prime prize money on offer, and Jeffrey took that.
At the sound of the bell signalling the final lap, Greaves was heard calling on Jeffrey to take over the lead and go ahead for the victory.
Jeffrey was heard asking Greaves, “Go and win?” and he got an affirmative answer from the birthday boy and obliged.
Of the 30 prime prizes that were on offer yesterday, Greaves won four, Jeffrey two, Persaud eight, John eight, Stephan Husbands six and Albert Philander and Hamzah Eastman one each.
Williams placed third, Eastman fourth, Christopher Holder fifth, Persaud sixth and Husbands seventh.

(By Michael DaSilva)