… Almost $800 000 in cash prizes up for grabs

GUYANA’S top cyclists will battle for almost $800 000 in cash prizes when they pedal off this morning in the first stage of the Independence Three-Stage Cycling Meet, which is scheduled for this weekend in Berbice and Linden with finishes in Georgetown.
The flagship event of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), which started in 1983 and was last contested in 2016, was resuscitated this year with the help of the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
The country’s top local cyclists are expected to compete at the event. Yesterday, US-based cyclist and former National Cycling Road Race Champion, Raynauth Jeffrey arrived in the country.

He told Chronicle Sport that all is set for this morning’s start.
A number of seasoned names, including the dominant Jamual John and Briton John, are expected to battle for championship honours.
Some local teams will participate with multiple cyclists. One such is Team Evolution, which will be led by the in-form Christopher Griffith (another contender for the overall title), former national champion Curtis Dey, Paul DeNobrega, current Masters champion Andrew Spencer, former Masters champion Steve Fernandes and Masters competitor Sagon Hubbard.

According to information from the Guyana Cycling Federation, over four dozen cyclists had registered for the event by yesterday afternoon. Others are expected to register before the first-leg commences this morning in the Ancient County.
On Friday, several cyclists benefitted from free transportation to Berbice. Race organisers provided buses for the riders and trucks for their cycles. Those who travelled up yesterday were also provided accommodation in Corriverton and meals prior to this morning’s start.

STAGES
The event is scheduled to commence at 07:30hrs from Corriverton, Berbice before it ends at Main Street in New Amsterdam.
The second stage is set to start from the Berbice Harbour Bridge, Rosignol from 14:00hrs this afternoon with cyclists proceeding to the Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown for the finish. The third and final stage will be held from tomorrow at 07:30hrs. Cyclists will race from Kara Kara in Linden to Bank’s DIH in the capital City.

PRIZE MONEY
In total, $775 000 will be up for grabs in the four-division battle.
The overall winner will receive $70 000 with second place collecting $60 000 and third place $50 000. Fourth place is expected to collect $40 000, fifth $35 000 and sixth $25 000. The Masters winner will collect $50 000, second place $35 000, third place $25 000 and fourth place $15 000.
The top three ladies cyclists and top three juniors will also receivet over $100 000 in prizes.
First place in both divisions will receive $50 000, second-place finishers $35 000 and third-place finishers $25 000.
There will also be other financial incentives, including 26 prime prizes.