By Emmerson Campbell
National cycling captain Robin Persaud closed off a successful year of events for Hassan Mohammed by speeding off with the 12th annual Diamond Mineral Water senior 50-mile cycle road race yesterday.
The event, which attracted 34 riders in five categories, started at 9:30 am in front of the Wales Police Station, proceeded to Bushy Park, and ended at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).
Persaud’s winning time was two hours and eight seconds.
Persaud, 36, led junior cyclist Raynauth Jeffrey, Leer Nunes, Raymond Newton, another junior Paul DeNobrega and Ian Jackson in the top six positions.
Persaud and Jeffrey separated themselves from the rest of the riders about five miles before the finish line and journeyed together up until 20 metres to go.
At this point the duo was still together after engaging each other in a fierce sprint from around 250 metres.
However, Persaud used his experience and superior sprinting ability to claim the victory over the 16-year-old Jeffrey.
Jeffrey, who was also the first junior rider to cross the finish line, copped four prime prizes while two went to Persaud and one each to Newton and Phillip Piggott. DeNobrega and Raul Leal were the other two top juniors.
The winner of the over 60 years category was Walter Isaacs while Shameer Baksh led Esau O’Selmo and Andy Rajkarran in the veteran category. Colin Archer and Shawn Frank were the top two riders respectively for the Upright cyclists.
Mohamed stated that he has hosted 29 events for 2011 including his ‘Teach Them Young’ Programme, the annual Mashramani race, the annual three stage Independence road race, the five stage road race and the only track meet last weekend.
At the closing ceremony the national cycling coach wished the cyclists well for 2012 and thanked them for making his events throughout the year successful.
He also thanked Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and other sponsors who have supported his events throughout the year.
Management trainees of DDL, Trish Doodnauth and Shamaine Headley shared out trophies and prime prizes.
Doodnauth, in brief remarks, stated that DDL was pleased to be a sponsor of cycling events and sport as a whole. She pledged that sponsorship for the event will continue next year and for years to come.
Last year’s winners were Walter Grant Stewart (one hour 58 minutes and 22 seconds), for juniors DeNobrega, for veterans Kennard Lovell and Upright Nigel Jacobs.
The five categories were seniors, juniors, veterans, Uprights and over 60 years.
