RBC/CARICOM Day ‘Wheat Up’ Cycling Classic...Marlon Williams eases to victory in another exciting duel; Michael Anthony outstanding

RBC/CARICOM Day ‘Wheat Up’ Cycling Classic…Marlon Williams eases to victory in another exciting duel; Michael Anthony outstanding

Jul 08, 2014 Sports

By Franklin Wilson
On a sunny day with consistent Atlantic breeze gliding across the seawall bandstand and the race course, the 11th annual CARICOM Day ‘Wheat Up’ Cycling Classic organised by the Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) saw some classic racing as the riders enjoyed a lucrative day of racing.
Witnessed by Managing Director of sponsors NAMILCO, Mr. Bert Sukhai,

Marlon Williams receives the feature race prize and trophy from Mr. Bert Sukhai.
Others in photo from right are Ato Lakeram, Fitzroy McLeod, Neil Kumar, George Humphrey and Gordon Gilhuys.

Financial Controller Mr. Fitzroy McLeod, Assistant to the Managing Director, Mr. Ato Lakeram, Director of Sport Mr. Neil Kumar, RBC Patron Mr. George Humphrey and Attorney-at-Law Mr. Gordon Gilhuys among others, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams stormed to victory in the feature 30-lap contest narrowly staving off a spirited effort from veteran Robin Persaud.
This feature race saw National Junior Time Trial champion Michael Anthony putting in a humongous effort as he staked a claim for the winner’s prize of $30,000 but in the end it was the experience of Williams and others that stood out.
From around lap 5, Anthony went on a solo run as he pulled away from the second pack to win 11 of the 15 sprint prizes on offer; every other lap attracted a prime. The Team Coco’s rider was caught with 11 laps to go but again pulled away from the pack only to be caught again with four laps remaining. Anthony ($15,000) had to eventually settle for the third place behind Persaud ($25,000) with Paul De Nobrega ($10,000) coming in fourth followed by Akeem Wilkinson ($8,000) and Alanzo Ambrose ($5,000) in that order.
The early pace in the race was carried by Enzo Matthews and Jaikaran Sukhai who shared a prime each with the other two going to Williams and Wilkinson.
Anthony had earlier won the junior/category 4 race which went for 5 laps, he pocketed $9,000 for the win, Mark Harris ($7,000) and Mario King ($5,000) took the other two spots.
Anthony also placed 2nd in the points race which was won by Williams with De Nobrega, 3rd.
He {Williams} had to settle for the 3rd place in the win and out 6-lap duel which went to Robin Persaud with Romello Crawford 2nd.
The win and out race format: the bell was sounded on lap 3 so it meant that the first rider to cross the line on lap 4 was the winner and that was Persaud.
The first rider to cross the line on lap 5 (Crawford) took the 2nd place, while Marlon Williams who won lap 6 placed third.
Jeremiah Harrison won the BMX 6-9, one lap race from Shay Due Hung and Alexander Leung in that order. Some patrons were of the view that one lap would have been too harsh for the youngsters but the trio sped around the course in quick time making it look all too easy. As a matter of fact, Harrison was so energetic that he took the outrider around for another lap to the excitement of the fans on hand. At the presentation ceremony, Managing Director Bert Sukhai was loud on praise for RBC and the manner in which the event was conducted. He challenged RBC President, Brian Allen yet again to make the event a truly CARICOM one where riders from across the Region are invited to compete.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar in his remarks supported Sukhai’s call for a bigger race which should be advertised more to attract more fans. Representing RBC, Attorney-at-Law Gordon Gilhuys called on Allen to submit a comprehensive budget to Sukhai which would see riders from overseas being involved.
Mr. McLeod extended gratitude to the riders for making the event another successful one for all; Mr. Lakeram also shared remarks at the presentation.
Following are the full results:
Race           Laps    1st – 3rd
12-14 juveniles   3   Romello Crawford, Raphael Leung, Daniel Vossey
Junior Cat.4       5   Michael Anthony, Mark Harris, Mario King
Category 1-3       5   Warren Mc Kay, Marlon Williams, Paul De Nobrega
Veterans U-50       5   Ralph Williams, Ian Jackson, Turan Harris
Veterans O-50       5   Linden Blackman, Virgil Jones, Montgomery Parris
Points Race (open)   6   Marlon Williams (10), Michael Anthony (10), Paul De Nobrega (8)
Win and Out       6   Robin Persaud, Romello Crawford, Marlon Williams
Mountain Bike   5   Ozia Macullay, Emanuel Gay Raul, Julio Melville
Ladies           5   Toshwanna Doris, Crystal Lambert, Deancae Welch
BMX (6-9)       1   Jeremiah Harrison, Shay Due Hung, Alexander Leung
BMX (10-14)       2   Amunike Gomes, Timothy Gay Raul
BMX Open       3   Raphael Leung, Adrian Sharma, Keron Rutherford
Wheat Up Classic   30   Marlon Williams, Robin Persaud, Michael Anthony, Paul De
Nobrega, AkeemWilkinson, Alanzo Ambroze