GUYANA’S top pedal cyclists will be in action today when Team Alanis stages a 20-lap road race around the outer circuit of the National Park beginning at 12:30hrs.The event, which is being sponsored by Team Alanis’ New York Chapter, comprises several categories of cyclists – seniors, juniors, veterans, BMX and mountain bikers.
Among the United States-based Guyanese who have already contributed to the activity are: `Red man Gerry (only name provided), Monty Davis, Danny Chee and his wife Eunice, Oniks Massy-Chung and Derick Sue Hang.
Over $100 000 in cash prizes will be at stake for the entire activity, and, with this in mind, it will be interesting to see if Alanzo Greaves would be able to maintain the momentum he returned with, after serving a one-year ban for the use of illegal substance during last year’s `Ride for Life’ Five-Stage road race.
Greaves made heavy impact on his return to the local cycling scene, placing second in the 65-mile first-stage road race behind Geron Williams, then placing among the top eight finishers in the 3.5-mile individual time trial and ending off with a win in the 50.5-mile (20 laps) final stage which was held around the outer circuit of the National Park.
Apart from Greaves, Shaquille Agard will be brimming with confidence after winning the overall title in the National Sports Commission-sponsored three-stage event two weeks ago.
Not to be outdone will be Jamal John of Team Coco’s who won the Digicel ‘Cancer Awareness’ 30-lap event around the same circuit.
Raynauth Jeffrey, Orville Hinds, Raul Leal, Michael Anthony, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Akeem Wilkinson are also in the reckoning.
The day’s activity will commence with the BMX races for the up-and-coming young cyclists, before the juveniles get into action followed by the feature event which is the 20-lap race for juniors and seniors.
The top six finishers in the open category will be rewarded for their efforts as well as the top three juniors.