Alonzo Greaves proved to be too strong for Christopher Holder surviving a puncture to win the ninth annual De Sinco/Milkaut cycle race on Saturday.
The eight race card was filled with excitement but the icing on cake was provided by Greaves who finished the race in a time of 1:28:10:84 with the 15-year-old Holder finishing second just a mere few inches from the line.
- Alonso Greaves receiving his winning trophy from Brand Manager Padma Prashad flanked by national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed (L) and his Assistant Joseph Britton (R)
While all eyes were on defending champion Darren Allen, the pace set by Greaves and Holder was too much for the Allen and he gave up without a fight failing to finish the race.
A number of other athletes suffered the same fate whilst some were further embarrassed being lapped and forced to retire.
According to national coach and organizer, Hassan Mohammed, the rule that “if any athlete is lapped he or she must come out of the race,” was standard.
Veteran Kennard Lovell had a chance to win the event leading with about 250 meters remaining but youth prevailed this time over age and experience and Lovell was forced to eat the dust.
He finished fifth behind Greaves, Holder, Enzo Matthews, third and Christopher Persaud, fourth.
Out of the 18 starters, only five riders finished with 13 dropping out or being forced to drop out. Greaves picked up five prime prizes and Holder the other three.
Lovell won the veterans’ 50-years-and-under category from Virgil Jones and Davendra Ramnarine while the over-50 race was won by Aubrey Gravesande with Maurice Fagundes second. In the BMX 9-12 three-lap event Tariq Baksh won from Orlando King and Akeem Lakon while in the five-lap upright event Kester Croal won from Stephen Roberts and Richard Charles.
- Got you! Alonso Greaves crossing the line ahead of Christopher Holder with Enzo Matthews further back.
The juveniles’ 10-lap event was won by Jason Pollydore from Jonathan Fagundes and Naomi Singh while the BMX 12-14, three-lap race was won by Raymond Chase from Andrew Monique and Akeem Lakon respectively.
Ozia Macaulay was the winner of the BMX Open, three-lap event with Kunta McKenzie second and Fagundes, third. Human Resources Manager of De Sinco Nathely Mars, who was on hand to witness the race, said that De Since would continue to sponsor cycling in the years to come. Mars was full of praise for the numerous cyclists young and old who turned up to participate in the one-day meet.
She also encouraged the participants who did not finish the race to think about next year and strive to do better.