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Michael Anthony rides away with Benjamin Sports cycle race in Berbice
Michael Anthony receives his cash prize from sponsor Wilbert Benjamin as organiser Randolph Roberts savours the moment.
By Samuel Whyte
Michael Anthony of the mining town of Linden, riding as his first year as a senior, wasted no time as he topped the field to ride away with the Third Annual ‘Wilbert Benjamin Sports Store’ cycle event.
The event, which was held along the Corentyne Highway on Sunday last in the Ancient County of Berbice, saw Anthony covering the 50 miles distance in one hour 51 minutes and 41 seconds. The other top positions were occupied by Alonzo Greaves, Paul De Nobrega, double defending champion Orville Hinds, Alonzo Ambrose and Berbician Romello Crawford occupying the respective second to sixth places. The one armed wonder, Walter Grant Stuart took the 10 position and received a special prize.
The race started outside of the Benjamin’s Sports Store at Fyrish, Corentyne and proceeded to the No51Police Station before returning to its place of origin.
As the cyclists were sent on their way a lead pack of Greaves, Stuart, Anthony, Ambrose, Jamal John and Mark Harris were out early and soon established a sizable advantage as the race picked up momentum. However, not to be outdone, the chasing pack took turn in going after the leaders. By the time they reached Adventure the chase group connected, which included Hinds, De Nobrega, Robin Persaud, Christopher Holder, Hamza Eastman and Andrea Abdool.
As the cyclist headed for the turn back point the race became more competitive as the various riders went on short breaks to establish their dominance, however they were soon reined in by the rest of the pack.
There was more hot competition on the downward journey as the riders continued to battle, hitting top gear, forcing some of the front runners to drop out of contention. Closer to the finish line the cyclists became more separated as faster, stronger riders took the advantage.
With some 200 meters to go Greaves made his move, but was challenged by Anthony who outsprinted him to the finish line to take the top cash prize on offer.
Crawford was the first junior to cross the line as he won from Jamal John and Raphael Leung.
The veteran division was divided into two categories. The 35-40 riders saw Junior Niles riding away with that division ahead of Jaikarran Sukhai and Berbician Syborne Fernandez.
Andrew Spencer was the first to cross the finish line in the over-40 category with Linden Blackman and Wilbert Benjamin taking the other two spots.
In the beginners’ category Chevy Carter, Keno Logan and Balram Narine occupied the top three spots and were presented with special cycling equipment for their effort.
On the distaff side Marica Dick continue her dominance with an easy victory as Whitney Payer and Shenika Teixeira came second and third.
The juniors, veterans and females rode from the start line and turned back at the Nand Persaud Complex at No35 Village Corentyne to its place of origin.
Greaves rode away with five of the prime point prizes while Ambrose, Niles and Narine took one each.
The event was fully sponsored by overseas based Guyanese former national cycling champion Wilbert Benjamin and coordinated by cycling coach Randolph Roberts.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony immediately after the event, Benjamin was happy to be home and to be contributing towards the development of cycling in Guyana. He also thanked all the participants for taking part in the event.
Roberts also had special words of congratulation for the outstanding performers and urged others to emulate the exploits of Benjamin.
Cyclists were drawn from Linden, Georgetown, Berbice and other parts of Guyana.
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