THE ninth annual Tour of Guyana Five-Stage Cycle Road Race was launched yesterday at the Ministry of Tourism and according to reports several international cyclists have indicated their interest to participate.Formerly known as the `Ride for Life Five-Stage’, the race has been rebranded `The Tour of Guyana Five-Stage Race’, which wheels off on October 29 and concludes on November 1.
The event is being organised by the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ministry of Education – Department of Culture, Youth and Sport and has received sponsorship from the Ministry of Tourism – being a sports tourism event – as well as beverage giant Banks DIH Limited.
The first stage will commence outside the Corriverton Police Station, Corentyne Berbice at 07:30hrs and conclude at Main and Alexander Streets in New Amsterdam.
On the same day, the second stage will start at 14:00hrs from the Rosignol Ferry Stelling and end at Carifesta Avenue.
The following day, the third stage will begin at 09:00hrs outside the Wales Police Station and finish at Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo.
Stage four will commence at 07:30hrs on October 31 from Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, proceed to Charity and return to Suddie for the finish.
Stage five begins at 08:30hrs at Kara Kara, Linden Highway, and will conclude on Homestretch Avenue.
Speaking at yesterday’s launching, Banks DIH’s Rainforest Waters Brand Manager, Errol Nelson, thanked the NSC and more especially Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, for giving his company the opportunity of being a main sponsor of the annual event.
“Just to let you know, part of Banks DIH’s corporate social responsibility is supporting and aiding in the development of sports in Guyana, and our sponsorship of this cycle road race demonstrates our steadfast commitment to the development of cycling in Guyana,” Nelson stated.
He added that his company’s involvement in the race will be in the form of creating the awareness of its Rainforest and Powerade Brands by way of branding, providing refreshments for the cyclists and officials and also trophies to the various winners.