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National Sports Commission 3-Stage Cycle Road Race…Robin Persaud takes final stage, Barbadian Eastman claims overall title
Robin Persaud rode in first in the final leg, but it was Barbadian cyclist, Jamal Eastman, whose winning feats in the first two stages, earned him the top prize with an overall time of 6:58:13secs when the 31st edition of the National Sports Commission (NSC) organized three stage road race concluded in front of the former Ministry of Housing offices, Homestretch Avenue, yesterday morning.
The respective winners display their awards with the organisers. Minister of Sports Dr. Frank Anthony is sitting third from left.
Geron Williams clinched the second place after clocking an overall timing of 6:58:20secs, while Orville Hinds clocked 6:58:25secs to finish just behind Williams. Orville Hinds and Alonzo Greaves registered respective timings of 6:58:25secs and 6:58:26secs to round off the top places in the final stage.
Raul Leal was the first junior cyclist to cross the finish line, closely followed by Hamza Eastman, while Mario King closed off the podium spots in this category. Horace Burrows rode an appreciable timing of 6:59:00 to take the spoils in the veteran category, while Aubrey Gordon and Junior Niles finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Four females started the journey, but Naiomi Singh was the only one to complete the second leg of the race. She was the lone distaff athlete to complete the journey from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue on Saturday last and though she was among the starters in the final leg from Linden, failed to replicate the feat of one day earlier after encountering difficulties along the way. The other participating females were Hassena Barrett, Marica Dick and Tashwana Doris.
Andrew Reece copped 3 sprint prizes, while Godfrey Pollydore, Kester Croal and Geron Williams copped two each. Several other riders each won one of the prime prizes.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Frank Anthony, joined several other cycling officials and enthusiasts at the finish line, and later returned to deliver the keynote address at the prize giving ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.
He lauded the efforts of coach, Hassan Mohammed even as he congratulated the winner and those that received special prizes. Minister Anthony said that he was heartened by the participation of the overseas contingent even as he noted the sacrifices they would have made to be a part of the event. He urged that group to return to their respective territories and spread the world so as to encourage larger participation of riders of their ilk.
He noted the difficulties encountered by the female riders and suggested that the organizers review the distance allotted to this group. He suggested a reduction in the amount of miles, at least for a period until they would become more proficient in the longer distances.
The event was staged in commemoration of Guyana’s 47th Independence anniversary and, looking ahead, the Minister suggested that organizers huddle and incorporate additional activities into the 50th so as to add more significance to the occasion. “It is my humble suggestion that you come up with a concept that will merge cycling activities and Independence celebrations to commemorate that milestone in style,” urged Mr. Anthony.
Director of Youth and Sports, Neil Kumar, was high in praise of the media operatives whom he noted delivered satisfactorily reports. He also poked a jab at the riders and urged them to improve on their chances of winning by riding as a team. He said that pedal pushers out of Linden were classical examples as they demonstrated the benefits of such strategies.
Hassan Mohammed recapped on activities during the entire race while President of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Cheryl Thompson, congratulated the cyclists while delivering inspiring words.
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