Jude Bentley was the winner of the senior category of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Time Trials held yesterday.
The event, which started at the top of the Madewini Hill, proceeded to the Toll Gate and back, saw Bentley winning from Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Enzo Matthews and Walter Grant Stuart, who were the top four finishers.
Times for the event were unavailable.
A GCF official said there was a slight mix up with the times submitted which the federation would have to evaluate.
Raynauth Jeffrey continued his excellent year by winning the junior category ahead of Paul De Nobrega and Lindeners Michael Anthony and Akeem Arthur while overseas-based Claire Fraser-Greene won the women’s category from Naomi Singh and Hazina Bharrat.
Top female rider Marica Dick’s bike suffered mechanical problems and she was forced to pull out of the race.
Former national cyclist Raymond `Steely’ Newton won the veterans’ event from Shameer Baksh, Kennard Lovell and another overseas-based rider Johnny Crevalle.
This morning, the national Road Race Championships will take centre stage.
President of the GCF Cheryl Thompson said that it is a requirement of the International Cycling Union (UCI) that the event is held every year at around the same time.
“All the countries worldwide are required by UCI rules to stage the national championships,” said Thompson adding… “It must be held before the last weekend in June.”
The defending national Road Race champion is Walter Grant Stuart. He will put his tile on the line against strong opposition headed by Alonzo Greaves, Geron Williams, who recently returned from a stint in the United States of America and Robin Singh.
Other riders in with a chance of winning today’s event are Bentley, Williams, Warren `40’ Mc Kay, Leer Nunes and Matthews.
Greaves and Persaud were involved in an altercation in an event held last weekend but according to GCF officials, they will be allowed to participate in today’s event.
Neither cyclist took part in yesterday’s Time Trials as they are possibly saving their energies for today’s big event.
The cyclists will pedal off from Amelia’s ward entrance with the seniors going to Madewini and returning to the starting point a distance of approximately 80 miles.
The juniors will turn back at Kuru Kuru and the Veterans and Ladies at Dora on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.
Staggered starts of two minutes each are expected to be used for the various categories.
De Nobrega, Bharrat and Junior Niles are the defending champions in the junior, female and veteran categories.
