By Neil Kumar
THE National Sports Commission’s (NSC) International Three-Stage Cycle Race will attract more than 50 national and international cyclists.
The race will start on Saturday morning as usual at the Corriverton starting point in front the police station, then proceed to the first stage finishing line in New Amsterdam.

Later, at 14:00hrs, the second leg of the race will start at Rosignol and proceed to the finishing point at Carifesta Avenue. While, the third and final stage will start on Sunday morning at Kara Kara in front of the call centre and finish at Homestretch Avenue.
This highly awaited annual cycle race will be grueling and exciting.

This race is a signature event on the National Sports Commission calendar. Significantly, this event started as an Upright Cycle Race and, as the sport discipline developed, we were able to boast that Guyana is an internationally recognised cycle event destination.

Former National Cycle Coach, Hassan Mohammed, must be commended for his contribution to making this event a success.
The race was abandoned during the APNU+AFC recent five years in government; however, the PPP/C Government, with genuine efforts to further develop sport, made sure that the event continues.

There will be several categories of participants in the race. While the most senior cyclists in the country and around the Caribbean will be riding for supremacy, an interesting and keen struggle is anticipated in the junior category.
While all eyes will be on some of the veterans, the female participants are encouraged.

However, the juvenile introduction and opportunity to ride in this race is most welcomed in the first stage.
Last year’s winner, Phillip Clarke of Barbados, won after a fiercely contested ride against Guyana’s Romello Crawford and Curtis Dey.

Very impressive in last year’s race was veteran former winner of the Three-Stage Race, Robin Persaud who came in fourth while Alexander Leung, Emmanuel Gayral and Jorryn Simpson were the other top finishers.
This year, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport will sponsor the race with a healthy $3 million along with transportation and other necessary assistance.

This highly anticipated national/international race will be attracting thousands of spectators who will line the road shoulders in Berbice and Demerara, while the usually massive crowds at the finishing line at New Amsterdam, Carifesta and Homestretch Avenues will be most lively.