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29th NSC Independence 3-stage cycle race pedals off today
Members of Team Cocos of Miami in a relaxed mood as they listen to Minister Anthony yesterday at the brief before departing for Berbice. (Franklin Wilson photos)
Explosive event anticipated; over 70 riders registered
By Franklin Wilson in Corriverton, Berbice
The 29th edition of the National Sports Commission sponsored Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race is set to be a tactical and explosive contest this year with the advent of the team format.
Held in observance of Guyana’s Independence as a Nation, the event which started back in 1983 and attracted upright cyclists was upgraded to racing cycles three years later and has been on the improve ever since; this year will be the biggest and is anticipated to be the most competitive ever.
Race official Joseph Britton disclosed that over 70 riders have already registered and more were expected to do so before the start of the first stage today at 07:30hrs from the Corriverton Police Station to end at New Amsterdam; a distance of approximately 46.6 miles (75km).
The durability of the competitors will be tested since the second stage will also take place today, pedaling off from Rosignol at 14:30hrs to conclude at Carifesta Avenue, an approximate distance of 60-4 miles (97.1km).
Yesterday, before the riders left for the Ancient County of Berbice, the Honorable Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony complimented all for their efforts in making this year’s event the success it was to date.
Dr. Anthony challenged the local riders who will be facing stiff opposition from Team Cocos of Miami, Heat Wave of Trinidad and Tobago, Team Suriname and a combined team of riders from Anguilla, French Guiana and St. Maarten led by Guyanese Andrew Reece, to give a good account of themselves and to be very competitive.
The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has named a strong team to contest this event which include the overall defending champion Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay, Alonzo Greaves, Robin Persaud, Raymond ‘Steely’ Newton, Ian ‘Deaf Boy’ Jackson and Enzo ‘Zozo’ Matthews. Also speaking at yesterday’s simple ceremony were Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Captain Alfred King, GCF President Cheryl Thompson and National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed.
Berbice will also be fielding a team of riders led by leading junior cyclist Neil Reece. The other riders are Dwight Holder, Neshan Jandoo, Keith Griffith, Clement Doris, Jubon Crawford and Wazim Gafoor.
Team Cocos will be led by the overall winner of the 2010 5-stage race Antonio Quintero and include Jose Frank Rodriguez, Yosmani Pol, Laymir Alonso, Gererdo Rodriguez, Jose Navarro, Osiel Pardo and Nysame Phillips.
The Heat Wave team consists of former three-stage winner Guy Costa, Christopher Gill, David Alves, Ronny Moses, Joshua Alexander, Phillip Clarke, Rafael Figuera and Mark Hosien.
Suriname’s challenge for top honours will be spearheaded by Ruiz Ceder, Mervin Arumjo, Quincy Overman, Mises Rickets, Jermain Albertzoon and Lesley Cairo.
In an invited comment, National coach Hassan Mohamed said that this is the largest starting field in the history of the three-stage race and he is very happy for this.
“I think it proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that this event has been constantly growing in stature and importance. We are very happy to welcome back team Cocos and Heat Wave as well as the other teams. I am expecting a real exciting time over the three stages of this event which I know will be very competitive.”
Prizes will be awarded to the first six finishers overall as well as the first junior and veteran rider.
The final stage of the race is set for tomorrow pedaling off at Cara Cara in the Bauxite mining Town of Linden to finish on Homestretch Avenue covering a distance of 64.5 miles (103.3km). Riders will cover an overall distance of 171.5 miles (274.3km) over the three stages. Warren Mc Kay’s overall winning time for the 2010 edition of the race was 7 hours 05 minutes 15 seconds.
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