BERBICE leading cyclist, Balram Narine, got the 2019 season off to a great start yesterday, by pipping Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega and Michael Anthony (Linden Bauxite Flyers) on the finish line in a shock victory, to grab the feature Schoolboys and Invitational 35-lap race of the 26th Ricks and Sari 11-race cycling meet.
At the inner circuit of the National Park, the eventual top six finishers pulled no punches as they separated themselves from the pack as early as the fourth lap. From there it was a matter of endurance and tactics which would determine the winner. However, Narine stuck with Anthony and DeNobrega throughout the race.
Finally, on the homestretch to the finish line, DeNobrega and Anthony perhaps underestimated Narine’s finishing power. He managed to keep up and eventually powered ahead of DeNobrega in a close finish.
DeNobrega’s bike-throw finish landed him second place while Anthony finished third. Fourth to sixth went to Briton John, Alex Mendes and Ajay Gopilall in that order.
In other results Nehaum Rigby took the BMX Boys 9-12-years race while Jose Rodrigues was the winner in the BMX Boys 6-9-years. Ajay Gopilall was the top Juvenile rider with Steve Bhimsen retaining the BMX Boys 12-14 race.
Team Coco’s Junior Niles copped the Veterans Under-50 event while Andy Spencer won the Veterans Over-50 race. Ozia McAuley finished first in the Mountain Bike race.
The next cycling event will be the R&R International 11-race programme which will be held at the same venue on February 9, while the same sponsors will have their Road Race on February 10 over in West Demerara.
