The ‘Ride For Life 4’ cycle road race was regarded as a huge success by government officials at the presentation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre last Sunday, and plans are already in place to take the event beyond the shores of Guyana, on to the international stage.
Considering the large number of competitors from overseas and the high level of competitiveness shown by the Guyanese riders at the recently-concluded event, there is talk about taking the five-stage race, referred to as ‘Tour de Guyana’, to other countries such as Suriname and French Guiana.
A total of 16 overseas-based cyclists mounted their bikes for this year’s ‘Ride For Life’, coming from Miami, Canada, Trinidad and Anguilla. And Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who was also present at the prize-giving ceremony noted that the event had the main elements of an international cycle road race. “Together let’s build this to the premier cycling event in Guyana and Caribbean, and make people want to come,” Ramsammy urged.Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Alfred King reiterated the organizers’ plans by stating that the ministry is moving to get the race accredited so that it can “become a part of the international racing body’s calendar of events.”
While speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday via telephone, national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed stated that he would be “very happy” if the event becomes an international one with greater recognition in the region.
Meanwhile, he noted that this was the most challenging ‘Ride For Life’ race ever, establishing a new record time of 10 hours, 18 minutes and 26 seconds for the 226-mile race, but he pointed out that the event’s overall winner Antonio Quintero was a member of Team Coco’s of Miami and they rode as a team and Guyana’s cyclists should learn from this.
