MICHAEL Anthony returned to top form on Sunday, producing a breathtaking ride to grab the Philip Arokium Memorial 50-Mile road race in Berbice.

Anthony and Andrew Hicks managed to put distance between themselves and the peloton from the start of the race, for a two-way sprint down the back stretch to the finish line.

Hicks, who is known for his explosive finishes, could not hold off Anthony who was simply too powerful at the death. The latter crossed the finish line in two hours 12 minutes 11 seconds to claim the $50 000 cash prize, a trophy and bragging rights.

Meanwhile, Andre ‘Padlock’ Greene with Balram Narine came in third and fourth respectively. Marcus Keiler, Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith, Ajay Gopilall and Ralph Seenarine placed fifth to eighth in that order.

Of the eight sprint prizes up for the taking, Deeraj Garbarran copped two while Hicks and Anthony had three apiece with Narine and Curtis Dey taking one each.

The evergreen Junior Niles was the top veteran cyclist while Paul Choo-Wee-Nam and Jaikaran Sukhai settled for second and third respectively.

Over in the Juveniles category, Mario Washington beat last year’s winner David Hicks to cop first place while Steve Bhimsen finished third.

Shemika Teixeira retained her title in the female category while Deancea Welch and Maria Carrington placed second and third in that order.

The race was organised by the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) in honour of the late proprietor of the Arokium Funeral Establishment, Philip Arokium.

The route began at Alexander Street in New Amsterdam, and proceeded to the turning point at Nand Persaud Rice Mill at No.36 Village, Corentyne, before returning for the finish at the point of origin.