AS the 2016 cycling season rolls into gear, national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed has organised an 11-race cycle event for Saturday around the inner circuit of the National Park beginning at 09:00hrs.The programme, which is being sponsored by Ricks and Sari Agro Industries, will have as its feature event, a 35-lap race for schoolboys, novices and invitational riders and this promises much excitement, as most of the country’s top cyclists are expected to face the starter, including the likes of Geron Williams, Guyana’s only professional rider, along with Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Raynauth `Obeahman’ Jeffrey, Orville Hinds, Raul Leal, Andrew Hicks and Romelo Crawford.
The winner of the event last year was Marlon Williams who returned one hour 20 minutes 11 seconds.
There will also be a 10-lap race for juveniles and with many cyclists in this category already firing, judging from their performances over the past three weeks when they participated in road races in Berbice, this race will also generate much interest.
The defending champion for this event is Berbician Romelo Crawford who clocked 25 minutes 52.50 seconds last year. He will, however, have to be wary of fellow Berbician Andrew Hicks.
Junior Niles is the defending champion of the veterans Under-50 years of age five-lap event and he should make a successful defence of his title. His time last year was 11 minutes 59 seconds.
Rakeem Blair will be out to defend his boys and girls three-lap title. His winning time last year was seven minutes 57.55 seconds.
Shawn Boodhram is the defending champion of the three-lap race for mountain bikers.
There will also be two and three-lap races for BMX boys and girls, six to 12 years of age as well as a five-lap event for veterans over 50 years of age.
A representative of the sponsor will be on hand to witness the day’s activity as well as to assist with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.