Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
Geron Williams wins again
Takes Benjamin 50 miles feature cycling event in Berbice
Geron Williams of the Continental Cycle club in time of 1hr: 35 minutes, 40 seconds, for the second consecutive day, rode brilliantly to win another fierce battle in an intense sprint home from a bunch of five cyclists that led the race for most of the way, which included Raul Leal, Orville Hinds, Wayne De Nobrega and Raynauth Jeffery to take top honours in the Sanko Benjamin cycle race,
The event was sponsored by overseas based former national cycling champion Wilbert Benjamin of the Benjamin Sports Store and the Benjamin Family in honour of the senior Benjamin’s 80th birthday. The event which was organised by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) pedaled off from in front of the Benjamin Sports Store at Fyrish Village to the No43 Bridge before heading back to its place of origin for the finish.
Geron Williams (right) watches his challengers as the battle along the Corentyne route yesterday.
There were two events, one for senior, junior and veteran riders, while another seven miles race was for beginners which in all saw some 53 riders taking part that include sponsor Wilbert Benjamin and his brother Gary.
The main event saw 47 riders that include the top riders in the country taking to the starting line and being sent on their way at 09:40 hrs by Mr. Sanko Benjamin himself and family. The race got off to what is call a ‘Flying Start’ with the riders first pedaling for one mile in the opposite direction up to Borlam Turn before turning back in a sprint to the Benjamin Sports store for the first sprint point prize.
From there on it was stiff competition with the cyclist going hard at each other for the early advantage in the large field. After taking top honours the day before in the annual Forbes Burnham Memorial Cycle road race in Georgetown, the inform Williams was among the bunch of about 10 riders that broke away early in the event that was held in cool conditions. As the race got deeper, the bunch split up to the eventual group of five that include Williams, Hinds, Leal, De Nobrega and Jeffery as they continued to press on. It was a ding dong battle as the five kept the lead with each cyclist taking a turn to jump the others for the break away. However none was successful as the trend continued until the turn back stage.
On the downward journey it was much the same as the five front riders kept on going, increasing the lead from the second bunch and the rest of the pack with every rotation. In the end it was Williams that won from De Nobrega, Hinds, Jeffery and Leal, with Alonzo Greaves beating out another group of about four to cop the sixth spot.
The top junior on show was Leal with Akeem Arthur second and Michael Anthony third.
Junior Niles rode home first among the veterans with Kennard Lovell second and Wilbert Benjamin third. Richard Charles won the Mountain bike category from Ozia Macaulay.
The eight sprint point prizes were taken by Jeffery with two, while one each were gathered by Ranole Crawford, Robin Persaud, Williams, DeNobrega, Hinds and Leal.
The special beginners seven miles race, which began at the Benjamin Sports Store and turned back at the Tain Berbice Campus, saw David Simon winning the boys’ category from Simon Allicock. The girl’s race was won by Deonce Welch from Shenica Texiera and Alliyah Benjamin.
The winners received lucrative prizes with the winner in the senior category taking home $80,000 a Bouquet of flowers and a bottle of Champagne. The riders were also blessed with a bag of gifts, while each winner apart from their cash incentive also received a bouquet and a bottle of Champagne.
The family plans to make the event an annual affair.
GTU president and family member, Colin Bynoe, welcomed all and introduced the members of the Benjamin family and also blessed the activity with a prayer.
It was one of the biggest races in the country for the year so far and one of the biggest held in the Ancient County. It is also the second event sponsored by the former national cyclist and his family for the year so far as they gave back to the country of their birth in a tangible way.
The event and was well coordinated by cycling coach Randolph Roberts with assistance from club member Eli Hazel.
The police contingent led by Cadet Officer Dufu, Corporals Hope and Gobin and the other ranks were also commended for doing an excellent job along the busy Corentyne thoroughfare.
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