Greaves out-hustles field in feature race as 2009 cycling season pedals off

Jan 25, 2009 Sports

By Franklin Wilson
Guyana’s top cyclist in 2008 Alonzo Greaves opened the 2009 season in fine style when he pedaled to victory in the season opening feature school boys and novices 35 lap event at the National Park yesterday afternoon.
It was the 16th annual Ricks & Sari Agro Industries 11-race programme organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.
Also recording victories in their respective events were juvenile Michael Nelson, Richard Charles (upright), Lloyd Williams (veterans over 50), Junior Niles (under 50), Jason Pollydore (12-14), Jamal Cromwell (BMX 12-14) Raymond Perez (BMX 6-9 & 9-12) and Crystal Blackman (BMX girls).
Greaves can count himself somewhat lucky to have won since Warren ‘Forty’ McKay was looking well set to cart off victory but encountered problems with his back wheel on lap 23, this mishap seriously impeded on the handsome lead he was enjoying up to that point.
Thereafter, Alonzo Greaves and Geron Williams took over and never looked back.
The race got off to a brisk start with 19 starters in the hunt, all the big stars with the exception of last years champion, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams.

Top performers of the 16th annual Ricks and Sari Agro Industries 11-race cycle meet pose with their silverware, sponsor’s representative Regan Rodrigues Jr. (back row, 5th from right) and race officials following the presentation ceremony. (Franklin Wilson Photo)

Junior Niles, who rode his second race as a veteran under 50, took the early fight to his rivals by breaking away to establish a slim lead by the end of the first lap.
By the second lap, Albert Philander and Kester Croal in his first race on racing cycle, previously an upright cyclist, connected with Junior Niles. But Niles was able to pace away from the two but not for long as Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay broke away from the main pack establishing a lead of more than half a lap.
His rhythm did not look too good early on but as the race matured, he began to look better and better. His dominance lasted until lap 23 and it was cut short due to a punctured back wheel. This enabled the second pack, led by Graves and Williams, the time to connect and effectively ended Mc Kay’s chances of what would have been a commanding win.
By lap 25, Greaves and Williams, still a junior competitor, opened up a 300m lead on the pack which never had a chance of catching them.
Greaves, who won 7 National Park races last year and is one of the better sprinters in the land, called on the reserve strength to win ahead of Williams, who despite the loss, has made a good start to the season after spending most of his time last year concentrating on his academics.

Alonzo Greaves about to take victory in the feature 35-lap race ahead of Geron Williams. (Franklin Wilson Photo)

Mc Kay, who took 5 of the 8 prime prizes on offer, was still able to salvage some pride by taking the 3rd spot ahead of Junior Niles and Robin Persaud. Enzo Matthews, another junior rider, closing out the top six positions. Greaves, Williams and Matthews shared the other three prime prizes.
Niles had earlier won the veterans under 50 5-lapper ahead of Shameer Baksh and Esau O’Selmo.
Sixty-nine year-old Lloyd Williams took the over 50 category, Clement Douglas and Anthony Fariah 2nd and 3rd. Williams also carted off a special trophy that was donated by Woodpecker Products for the best over 60 rider. Richard Charles, Jamal Bentley and Sherwin Alves placed in that order in the upright clash.
Upper Demerara based juvenile rider Michael Nelson, seeking to hold his own among his city rivals, won the 10-lap race ahead of Tariq Baksh, his first at this level in the Park. It was also Baksh’s first try at this level, he also placed 2nd to Pollydore in the 12-14 (3-lap) clash. Baksh normally competes among the BMX riders.
Young Raymond Perez, who dominated his peers in the BMX 6-9 age group last year, picked up from where he left off with another comfortable victory ahead of Dineshwar Ragubeer and Zayad Baksh.
Perez also placed first in the 9-12 event with Ragubeer the runner up. Crystal Blackman, also dominant last year, continued with her umpteenth win in the girl’s 1-lap BMX race ahead of Ashley Anthony.
Jamal Cromwell was unstoppable in the BMX 12-14 3-lap battle. Olandio King placed 2nd and Akeem Lakon 3rd. Hassan Mohamed, in brief remarks before the presentation got underway, reminded riders that this year will be very demanding for them due him being able to secure more sponsorship, which will result in more races.
He challenged them to be disciplined and to commit themselves to be on time for prompt commencement of events.
Regan Rodrigues Jr. represented sponsors Ricks & Sari Agro Industries at the presentation ceremony. Hampers with Ricks & Sari products were presented to the top three riders of the feature race as well as the juvenile winner.