Latest update February 10th, 2025 2:25 PM
Mc Kay beats Holder for top spot at 18th R&R International 40-miler
By Franklin Wilson
Following a history making protest on Saturday at the National Park, cycling returned to a state of normalcy yesterday when the 18th annual R&R International 40-mile road race was contested on the West Demerara.
Warren Mc Kay (left) approaches the finish ahead of Christopher Holder (right) and Albert Philander (centre) yesterday. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay of Continental Cycle Club, who had to settle for third last Sunday in the National Sports Commission sponsored Mashramani 40-miler, turned the tables this time around on junior sensation and Kaieteur Cycle Club member Christopher Holder who had to be content with the runner up spot. Mc Kay’s winning time was one hour 41 minutes 22 seconds.
Holder, though, won the junior category ahead of Geron Williams who placed 5th overall.
Albert Philander, Alex Mendes and Raymond Newton placed 3rd, 4th and 6th respectively, Newton also claiming the top spot among the veterans.
The race which attracted 26-starters, begun just after the 09:00hrs scheduled start following some amount of discourse between race organiser Hassan Mohamed, who is also Race Secretary of the Guyana Cycling Federation, his deputy Malcolm Sonoram and Jude Bentley, the rider at the centre of the dispute with the Guyana Cycling Federation.
Bentley, turned up once again to ride, armed with his entrance fee and fine but was again told by Mohamed that he cannot allow him to compete since he has a matter pending with the governing body.
After sharing their views, Bentley agreed that he would not participate since the forum was not the correct one to pay the fine and have the matter of the ban dealt with. Bentley then enquired if it would be okay for him to ride with the others and he was told that he can follow the race from behind and he duly complied.
The race, which started at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, got off to a hot start as riders were fresh after they did not compete on Saturday in the feature race at the National Park.
On the upward journey there were two unfortunate spills, one, a collision involving one of the race favourites Alonzo Greaves and junior competitor Enzo Matthews. The accident effectively ended their hopes of placing in the top six. The other incident involved Berbician junior rider Nshane Jaundoo who it is reported collided with a mini bus. Two other riders were also involved in this incident.
Kaieteur Sport understands that Jaundoo was taken to the hospital by senior rider Lear Nunes who reported that Jaundoo suffered injuries to his collar bone.
The race turned back for the downward journey at Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo before returning to the starting line for the finish.
With just about one mile to the line, Holder, who was in the second pack broke away on his own to connect with the leaders and in the sprint to the line showed his sprinting ability and stamina to end second behind his senior colleague, Mc Kay.
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