RECORDS can tumble once again when the 3rd edition of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/Ministry of Health `Riding for Life’ Five-Stage Cycle Race gets under way tomorrow from Corriverton, Berbice.

In the inaugural event in 2008, records were set for all five stages of the gruelling 226-mile event that traversed the three counties of Guyana (Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo).

In 2008 the record of one hour 51 minutes 37 seconds (1:51.37) was set for the 46.6 miles first stage (Corriverton to New Amsterdam), but last year, that was broken by Robin Persaud who returned 1:49.10.

Last year, the time of 2:35.53 that was set for the second stage (Rosignol to Georgetown) in 2008, was erased by Alonzo Greaves who clocked 2:32.05 for the 96-mile stage.

The 2008 time for the third stage (Wales to Parika) was 1:06.14, but last year, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, in winning the stage 60-mile stage, returned 1:03.19.

The 2008 time for stage four was 2:52.34, but last year Trinidadian Colin Wilson registered 2:3054, while Williams returned the following day and recorded 2:38.11 for stage five (Linden to Georgetown) a distance of 100 miles, erasing the 2:49.23 set in 2008.

This year, however, is expected to be even more competitive than last year with the presence of two of Guyana’s more experienced road riders, Dwayne `Road Hog’ Gibbs and Godfrey Pollydore in the lineup.

Apart from the two duo, keen competition is also expected to come from riders from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago who were expected to arrive in Guyana yesterday for today’s 12:30 h departure to Berbice.

According to national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, over 50 cyclists are expected to face the starter at 07:30 h tomorrow morning outside the Corriverton Police Station.

This number includes defending champion Junior Niles, who, despite not winning any of the five stages last year, came out champion as he returned bunch times with the top finishers in each of the stages. He completed the 226-mile event with an overall time of 10:38.13.

Christopher Holder is the defending junior champion and will be keen on retaining his title, but he too can expect keen rivalry from the likes of Geron Williams, Christopher Persaud and Enzo Matthews.

Meanwhile, cycle clubs are reminded that only accredited motor vehicles and cycles will be allowed to follow the race and anyone found breaking this UCI rule will be dealt with accordingly.

This warning was given by Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony at a press conference recently.