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Battle lines drawn for 12th Dr. Cheddi Jagan memorial road race
57-miler sponsored by BK International Inc.
Flashback!!! Alonzo Greaves acknowledging he is the winner ahead of Warren McKay at the 11th Cheddi Jagan Memorial race in 2008. (Franklin Wilson photo)
By Franklin Wilson
Come Sunday March 1, the going is expected to be tough and the tough will certainly get going when the 12th annual memorial race in remembrance of the Late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who was born on March 22, 1918 and died on March 6, 1997.
Defending champion Alonzo Greaves, the number one cyclist for 2008 started this year with victory in the opening feature at the National Park but ever since, has been enduring a torrid time.
Sunday’s 57-mile event will be an excellent opportunity for Greaves to return to winning ways but the going will not be easy.
Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay, who had to settle for the runner up spot to Greaves last year after he won in 2007, has been one of Greaves’ fiercest challenges so far this season.
Mc Kay was second best to Greaves at the National Park in the Ricks & Sari Agro Industries season opening 35-lap feature, placing third behind Geron Williams.
Mc Kay has been improving and was third in the last road race, the Forbes Burnham Birth Anniversary 36-miler last Sunday. Greaves will surely be aiming to get going on the road this season.
Junior sensation Christopher Holder, a serious threat to his senior rivals, continues to do well continuing his fine form from last year. Sunday’s action is expected to be fierce with Darren Allen who struck winning form last Sunday expected to be in the reckoning as will Robin Persaud, Lear Nunes, Raymond Newton, Kennard Lovell, Junior Niles and Tony Simon along with juniors Geron Williams, Enzo Matthews and Chris Persaud.
The upright category has not been very active this year and last years winner Dexter Wilson if he competes, will start as favourite to retain the title.
Last years veteran winner Lovell will have to contend with Newton and Niles as well as Linden Blackman which makes for intriguing competition among the older boys.
As is the norm, the first six seniors, first three juniors, upright and veterans will be rewarded. Eight prime prizes will also be at stake in the race which pedals off in New Amsterdam outside the PPP office proceeding to Number 55 Village on the Corentyne before returning for the finish at Port Mourant. Veteran and upright riders will turn back at Hogstyle.
Presidential Advisor Navin Chanderpaul, who is also the chairman of the Commemoration Committee, among other representatives of the PPPC will be on hand to distribute the trophies and cash incentives to the top performers in the BK International sponsored event.
Meanwhile, riders and officials are asked to take note that transportation for Berbice will leave the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Main Street on Sunday morning at 05:30hrs.
Dr. Cheddi Jagan, an avid supporter of sports during his lifetime, served as Chief Minister of British Guiana from 1961 to 1964, prior to independence and as President of Guyana from 1992 to 1997. Jagan was also an important political author and speechwriter, and his publications include Forbidden Freedom, The Story of British Guiana, The West On Trial, My Fight for Guyana’s Freedom, The Caribbean Revolution, and The USA in South America, among others.
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