CYCLING enthusiasts, fans, families and most importantly, Guyana’s top cyclists, will assemble today from 08:00hrs on Irving Street in front of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Headquarters, Camp Ayanganna, where they will compete in Digicel’s Annual Cancer Awareness cycling meet.

The most anticipated event of the meet will be the 40-lap Senior and Junior event which will pit Jamual John, fresh off of victory in last weekend’s Kadir Mohamed Memorial Road Race, against defending champion of the Digicel Meet, Geron Williams.

John, who returned from racing overseas for this meet, is in top form and will be looking to come good this year, compared to last year when he could not finish the race due to cramps. However, Williams has quietly been making his return to form and this will bill for an exciting encounter.

The duo will not have it all their own way as Paul DeNobrega, Michael Anthony, Christopher Griffith and Alonzo Ambrose can all be devastating on any given day.
The race will begin at the traditional starting point in front of the GDF compound on Irving Street. However, this year the organisers have changed the course in order to facilitate better spectator viewing.

The cyclists will proceed north along the western carriageway of Irving Street, turn right at the Kitty roundabout, head south on Vlissengen Road, before turning at the Thomas Lands intersection and back to the starting point to make a lap.
In another twist there will be an introduction of match sprints where riders will be paired against each other with the winners moving into the next round.

The race will begin at 08:00hrs with registration at 07:00hrs. The entrance fee is $2 000 per person for road races, with mountain bikes and novices paying $1 000. Those wishing to enter the match sprint competition will be required to pay a further $1 000 as will those who will enter a second race.

As is traditional all of the proceeds from the entrance fees will go to the Guyana Cancer Institute. The organisers have said that they are looking forward to the support of all cycling enthusiasts and the public at large.

The top finishers in the Match Sprints will receive as follows:
1st Place – $35 000
2nd Place – $25 000
3rd Place – $15 000
The race schedule will be as follows:
Mountain Bikes/Novices Race – 10 Laps (Prizes 1-3)
Kiddies Race – Short Loop (Prizes 1-3)
Match Sprints – Preliminary Round – 1 Lap (Prizes 1-3)
Veterans U-45 & O-45 – 20 Laps (Prizes 1-3)
Match Sprints – Final Round – 1 Lap (Prizes 1-3)
Seniors & Juniors – 40 Laps (Seniors 1-6, Juniors 1-3)