By Calvin Roberts
Following a three weeks break from competitive action after the Annual Indepen-dence three stage race cyclists will be back in their saddles this weekend where they will be competing in two events organized by national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed.
On Saturday 14th June, the action will be centred on the inner circuit of the National Park where the 8th annual P&P Insurance 11-card cycle meet will be held with the feature race being the Schoolboys and Novices 35 lap event.
Defending champion in this event, Alonzo Greaves, who has not been featuring permanently on the local scene following his win in the inaugural Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport five stages meet can look forward to some strong opposition from Junior Niles, Jaikarran Sukhai, Christopher Holder, Christopher Persaud and Tony Simon in this event.
Other events and distances slated for the day are: 12 to 14 boys (3 laps), Veterans Under 50 and Over 50 (5 laps each) respectively, Juveniles (10laps), Upright cyclists (5 laps), BMX Girls 6 to 12 years (1 lap), BMX Boys Open (3laps), BMX Boys 9 to 12 and 12 to 14 years (3 laps each) respectively and BMX Boys 6 to 9 years (2 laps).
Managing Director of P&P Insurance Brokers Limited, Bish Panday, is expected to assist with the distribution of prizes.
The following day’s 50- mile event will pedal off from the Wales Police Station and proceed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo where the cyclists will turn back and head to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish. Niles who is the defending champion of this event will be hard pressed to retain from the likes of Alonzo Greaves who has not been featuring permanently on the local scene following his win in the inaugural Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport five-stage meet, national junior road champion Christopher Holder, Geron Williams, John Charles, Leer Nunes, Warren Mc Kay and Robin Persaud.
A keen battle can be anticipated between Holder and Williams in the Junior category, but some strong opposition can also be forthcoming from Enzo Matthews and Christopher Persaud.
The Kennard Lovell and Linden Blackman rivalry should add some more flavours to this race and with eight (8) sprint prizes up for grabs, the hard working Ian ‘Dumb boy’ Jackson should not be underestimated in this category also.
The first six overall finishers will receive prizes whilst the first three Veterans, Junior and Upright cyclists will also receive prizes that will be distributed by Castrol Brand manager Mr. Leonard Khan.
