Ian ‘Dumb Boy’ Jackson is 7th Annual CARICOM ‘Wheat Up’ Road Race winner

Jul 06, 2010 Sports

CEO of NAMILCO Bert Sukhai (centre) pose with the category winners; Ian Jackson (2nd left), Kurt La Rose (3rd left), Hazina Barrett (3rd right), Kester Croal (2nd right) and Turhan Harris (right). Also in photo are nAMILCO’s Accountant Rajindra Ketwaru (left) and RBC President Brian Allen.

La Rose, Croal, Harris & Barrett take other categories

By Franklin Wilson

In what can be described as an awesome ride, Differently Able Cyclist Ian ‘Dumb Boy’ Jackson battered a star studded field to win the 7th annual CARICOM Wheat Up 60-mile road race sponsored by the National Milling Company of Guyana, NAMILCO.
Jackson crossed the finish line in front of the Two Brothers Gas Station at Agricola all alone and well ahead of the second bunch in 2 hours 42 minutes 40 seconds.
Defending champion Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay had to settle for the runner-up spot this time around following an exciting sprint which saw him powering across the line just ahead of Christopher Persaud, Jude Bentley, Walter Grant-Stuart – another Differently Able athlete and Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams in that order.
The top junior was Kurt La Rose who also won comfortably; Paul De Nobrega took 2nd with Neil Reece of Berbice 3rd. Kester Croal took the upright category followed by Rickey Kissoon and Ozia McCually.
Dominating the female ranks yet again was Linden’s Hazina Barrett, Naomi Singh trailed the winner followed by another Lindener, Golin Debideen.
Veteran Berbician Turhan Harris continues his fine form by winning the veteran category, Lindener Andrew Spencer took the runner-up spot followed by Linden Blackman.
The NAMILCO sponsored event which attracted 64 starters, the largest field to date in the history of the race, started outside the sponsors Agricola Office yesterday morning before proceeding to Long Creek on the Linden Soesdyke Highway and returning to Two Brothers Gas Station for the finish.
The veteran and female riders turned back at the Linden Soesdyke Highway/Timehri junction.
President of organisers Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) Brian Allen said the event was very exciting and accident free; he thanked Traffic Ranks of the Guyana Police Force for doing a fine job in maintaining order on the streets throughout the race.
Allen also praised NAMILCO for their continued support to RBC for the event which was initiated by Former Club President George Humphrey.
CEO of NAMILCO Bert Sukhai in brief remarks complimented the riders especially the younger brigade for displaying their skills and talent in a clean and competitive spirit. Sukhai reminded the gathering that his company has no regrets in sponsoring the race which has been growing over the years.
Sukhai, who has challenged the organisers to engage riders from other Caribbean Countries to make the event truly CARICOM stated his satisfaction in hearing RBC President Allen mentioning that they will be making an earnest effort to make it happen for the 8th edition of the race.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar was also on hand to congratulate the participants and especially the females. He lauded the efforts of NAMILCO for their unrelenting support to sports and its development in Guyana.
“I encourage all you riders to be disciplined and fair when you compete and even outside of competition. You have a number of other races coming up including the five-stage so you need to continue to train hard.”
Acting President of the Guyana Cycling Federation Cheryl Thompson also complimented the participants while encouraging them to up the competitive level.
A number of regional competitions are also in the hood for local riders including the CAC Games where Guyana will be represented by Alonzo Greaves and Geron Williams who is currently on a hectic training regime in the United States of America.
The Caribbean Junior and Senior Championships are other competitions the Guyana Cycling Federation intends to send local riders to. The National body will host a fundraising event on July 18.