Robin Persaud and Cleveland King are inaugural champs

Aug 13, 2012 Sports

Buxtonian 4 Life 172nd Anniversary Cycle Road Race

By Franklin Wilson
Robin Persaud and Cleveland King emerged the respective Open and Mountain Bike champions when the inaugural Buxtonian 4 Life Group held its inaugural Cycle Road Race in observance of the Village’ 172nd Anniversary yesterday on the East Coast of Demerara.

Members of the Buxtonian 4 Life Group pose with the two winners and other top performers after the presentation ceremony.

Pedaling off from Ocean View Hotel at Liliendaal at 07:00hrs; the country’s best cyclists proceeded to the Village of Unity before returning to Friendship for the finish, just outside the Ross Gas Station.
The short but exciting contest was over in One Hour, 02 Minutes, 24 Seconds; Persaud outdueling Alonzo Greaves, junior rider Raul Leal and National Road Race Champion, Orville Hinds of Linden in the sprint home.
Raynauth Jeffrey, who was tops at the National Park Saturday last had to settle for the fifth place with Enzo Matthews claiming the sixth position.
In the mountain bike category, Cleveland King was the king of the day with victory over Adrian Sharma, Alfie Sonoram, Andel Pettey and Joshua Dunn in that order. Albert Philander received a special prize as the best Buxtonian rider in the race.
Yesterday’s inaugural event formed part of a bigger programme that the Buxtonian for Life Organisation, which has been in existence for just about three years, has put together in observance of the Village’ 172 Anniversary.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, the Local Chairperson, Ms. Faye Hunte disclosed that the Group, which is the local arm of the USA based Chapter, has planned numerous activities, sports and social events to observe the Village’ Anniversary; which activities started on August 1.
“This is the first cycle race that we have ran-off in association with the Flying Stars Cycle Club and we intend to make it an annual event. All the trophies and medals have been sponsored by the overseas Chapter and we are very grateful for their continued support.
“What we also do is invite our neighbouring villages to participate in the activities that we bring off. Annandale and Vigilance also participate in the activities.”
It was also disclosed that cycling used to be an area of strength in the village of Buxton and yesterday’s event was aimed at reviving the sport there. Race winner Robin Persaud honed his skills in that village years ago, along with the likes of Juma McRae and Tony Wills among others.
Popular calypsonian Lassell Duke speaking on behalf of the committee at the presentation ceremony, where the top performers were rewarded with cash, trophies and medals, thanked all the riders for coming out in their numbers to make the event a resounding success.
Duke informed the gathering that the Buxtonian 4 Life Group will make the activity a yearly one and the next one will be much bigger, cover more distance and more attractive in terms of prizes. Thirty-nine riders participated.
Last evening, a dominoes competition was slated for the Guinness Bar in Friendship, while a grand family fun day is set for Sunday at the Buxton Community Centre Ground. The fun day was scheduled for yesterday, but had to be put off due to the inclement weather.
A karaoke competition was also held, while there will be a medical outreach programme shortly as part of the celebrations also.