Ocean View/Carifesta X 60-mile cycle road race...Greaves outsprints rivals again, Williams, Lovell, Croal also shine

Ocean View/Carifesta X 60-mile cycle road race…Greaves outsprints rivals again, Williams, Lovell, Croal also shine

Aug 25, 2008 Sports

By Franklin Wilson
Undoubtedly, he is undisputed local sprinting champion, and this was further emphasized yesterday in the Ocean View International Hotel / Carifesta X 60 mile cycle road race held on the East Coast of Demerara.

Alonzo Greaves found himself in a sprint home for the number one spot, a challenge which he confidently proclaimed he relishes since he is the best in the Land of Many Waters. Greaves outgunned John Charles and Robin Persaud to the line to record victory in a time of 2 hours 11 minutes 17.68 seconds.

And talking about Waters, yesterday’s battle ensued in heavy rainfall but according to President of the Guyana Cycling Federation Hector Edwards, he was very surprised at the fast pace of the race in all the rain.
Apart from Greaves’ performance, also ruling in their categories were Geron Williams, just back from Beijing, topping his junior peers.

Kennard Lovell continued his dominance among the veterans with another first place while Kester Croal outpaced his rivals to take the top spot in the upright category.

Thirty-four (34) starters faced the starting line at Ocean View with Warren Mc Kay, Raymond Newton, Greaves and Williams pulling away from the pack at Lusignan but on their approach at Belfield, Newton unfortunately suffered a blow out which put paid to his intentions of at least featuring among the top six.

But by this time he had already captured one of the 8 prime prizes. Williams, who has not been very active over the past weeks began to suffer cramps at Mahaica but still held on to top the junior division in the end.

The senior and junior riders turned back at Perseverance Mahaicony before returning to the starting line for the finish and the downward journey was no different with tactical riding as the athletes sought to out fox each other and the rain which did not relent.

Greaves had to dig into his experience tank to take top honours, describing the event as very challenging.
“It was a difficult race for me, given the conditions (rain) we had to endure but my experience brought me through in the end. I knew that if it came down to a sprint which it did, that I had the edge to win.”

Taking second overall was Linden’s John Charles followed by Robin Persaud, Lear Nunes, Warren Mc Kay and Junior Niles.

Mc Kay finished the race with a punctured back wheel which he sustained at Plaisance.
Greaves and Mc Kay took three prime prizes each.

Williams captured the other prime on his way to the top junior trophy with Daniel Ramchurejee taking the runner-up spot.

In the veteran class, Lovell, who won handsomely, was followed to the line by Virgil Jones ahead of Linden Blackman.

Croal, Jamal Bentley and Joel Jafferally placed in that order among the uprights. The veteran and upright riders turned back at the Belfield Car Park before returning to the starting line for the finish.

Physically Challenged rider Grant Stuart who lost his right arm from just under the shoulder, received a special trophy for participating and actually out sprinted Bentley to the line with his racing cycle. Henry Rambarran Jr. distributed the cash prizes and trophies to the top performers.