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Hinds ride away with season opening Benjamin Cycle road race
Lindener Orville Hinds made sure that his more than 100 miles trip to Berbice to participate in the Wilber Benjamin 30-mile cycle road race was not in vain as he defied the odds to defeat his more season campaigners to take top honours when the event was held on Sunday. The race began at Fyrish village on The Corentyne in front of the newly opened Benjamin Sports Store, where 27 eager cyclist from various parts of Guyana pedal off in the quest to start the cycling season on a winning note.
Riding for the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC) Hinds
Orville Hinds raises his hands in celebration as he crosses the finishing line ahead of the rest of the field.
was able to surprise his opponents as he held off a strong challenge from seasoned campaigner Raymond Newton as the two battled towards the line to win in a time of 1:04:32.
The race was fast paced throughout as all the riders showed early form, with the youthful Berbicians trying to defend their turf and the visitors looking to conquer. Several attempts were made by various riders or bunch to break away but none were successful in getting away for too long as they were quickly swallowed in by the chasing pack.
As the cyclist got on their journey it was envisage that it would have been a grueling event as Newton was quickly off his seat, but was followed by the youthful Flying Ace duo of Dwight Holder and then Ray Millington as they held him at bay. Michael Anthony soon came into the picture and tried to take the lead but was joined by the inform Millington as the two went wheel for wheel in a race for the first sprint point prize with Anthony edging home.
Akeem Arthur showed his intention as he came up to join the leaders. The battle continued with a few cyclist moving up into the leading pack and some dropping back with a seven man bunch of Hinds, Newton, Millington, Akeem Wilkinson, Rawle Leal, Rastaff O’Selmo and Arthur grinding it out for the early advantage as they approached the turn back point at Nand Persaud Rice Mills at Number 37 Village.
The return journey was even more testing as the race picked up speed with the riders now warm and being assisted by the strong wind now on their backs.
There were no quarters given and none asked as the men rode at a fast clip. The last few miles saw the cyclists breaking suddenly in their effort to surprise each other. However none were successful. It took a last gasp sprint to separate the seven man bunch with Hinds showing superior sprinting power to take the event from the veteran Newton. Arthur came home third ahead of Leal fourth, Millington fifth, with Wilkinson sixth and O’Selmo seventh.
Holder led the second bunch home in eight position with Seaborne Fernandes ninth and Wasim Hassnu tenth. The first six finishers received prizes along with 10th position. Before the start of the race Benjamin had promised that whoever finished 10th would receive a barrel of goodies from Canada.
In the junior category Arthur came home first ahead of Leal. Marica Dick continued her dominance on the distaff side with a comfortable victory with second place Cristal Lambert trailing some distance behind.
The eight sprint point prizes up for grabs saw Newton and Millington taking two and Wilkinson, O’Selmo, Leal and Anthony collected one each.
Some riders from the host Flying Ace Cycle Club were also recognised for their outstanding performance and received special commendations. Five were selected namely Marica Dick, Odrel Ross, Andrew Hicks, Romella and Diancy Crawford. Benjamin and his brother Gary also took part in the race.
Benjamin promised to make the event an annual affair with bigger and better prizes in the future.
The race was coordinated by coach Randolph Roberts. (Samuel Whyte)
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