LINDENER and Team Evolution’s Michael Anthony will defend his Banks DIH Powerade 35-lap cycle race title tomorrow when National cycle coach Hassan Mohamed runs off the annual 11-race event around the National Park inner circuit beginning at 09:00hrs.The day’s feature event will see most of the country’s top cyclists battle for honours in what is expected to be a thrilling race, involving the likes of the 34th Annual Independence Three-stage road race champion and Anthony’s Team Evolution clubmates Orville Hinds, Raul Leal and Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Stephen Fernandes, Akeem Wilkinson and Christopher Cornelius.
Other top contenders will be Linden Bauxite Flyers’ Shaquille Agard and Silvio Inniss as well as Team Alanis’ Paul DeNobrega.
When the event was staged last year, Anthony won the 36-mile event in one hour 15 minutes .08 seconds.
Another interesting race on the day’s programme is the 10-lap race for juveniles, which was won last year by Jamal John. He is a doubtful starter so it is likely that a new champion will be crowned and that person might very well be Raphael Leung who has been in good nick recently. John’s time for the event last year was 23 minutes 57.56 seconds.
Team Coco’s Junior Niles will be out to defend his veterans’ Under-50 five-lap title, won last year in a time of 11 minutes 56 seconds. He will, however, have to be wary of Kennard Lovell and Warren McKay.
Daniel Perreira will be out to defend his boys and girls’ 12-14 years three-lap title. He won the event last year in a time of seven minutes 56 seconds.
The three-lap race for mountain bikers was won last year by Raynauth Jeffrey in a time of 12 minutes 50 seconds. However, Jeffrey is currently in the United States training and competing, so this year, a new champion will be crowned.
Banks DIH Outdoor Manager Mortimer Stewart will be on hand to witness the day’s programme as well as to present prizes to the respective winners.