By Emmerson Campbell
The outer circuit of the National Park will be transformed into a speedway when Roraima Bikers Club and Digicel team up to pedal off the inaugural Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness Cycle race on October 28.
A trophy, $100,000 and a champion’s jersey will be up for grabs for the 25-lap (approximately 70 miles) event which is expected to attract the crème-de-le-crème of Guyana’s cyclists.
During the launch of the lucrative event which took place at Digicel’s Head Office, Kingston, yesterday, president of the club, Brian Allen expressed his gratitude and lauded the telecommunications giant for their continued sponsorship of cycling and sports in general in Guyana.
Allen added that he hopes Digicel’s and Roraima’s collaboration will be the first of many to come.
He also mentioned that prizes will be awarded to the first six seniors, three juniors and three veterans while two prizes will be awarded to the first two female finishers.
Prizes will also be awarded to the youngest and oldest cyclists. The Digicel Cancer Awareness jersey is also up for grabs.
There will also be special prizes for the youngest and oldest finishers.
Allen alluded to the fact that the first place rider for the recently concluded 266-mile, four-day, five-stage road race pocketed $200,000 and as such the one-day first prize of $100,000, which he said was the highest ever for a one-day cycling event, will surely attract the best of the best of Guyana’s riders.
The second place finisher will cart off $80,000 while the third place cyclists will pocket $60,000.
The event will pedal off on Carifesta Avenue at 9:00hrs.
Marketing Director of Digicel, Jacqueline James stated that Digicel was proud to be associated with sport and cancer awareness and that the event will be one of ways that the telephone company will show its support for victims of breast cancer.
“This is our way of showcasing that cancer does exist in our society. It is our way of showing cancer victims and their families that Digicel is behind you and this year we will be riding for this cause so that people can be more aware that breast cancer exists,” she said. “This to encourage them to say that the fight is on for a cure and for you to continue to live and have hope and positivity because riding for the cause is what we are about,” she added.
Digicel and some of its employees will be part of the Avon Breast Cancer awareness walk this Saturday.
Meanwhile, national cyclist and brand ambassador of Digicel, Alonzo Greaves, noted that the event was going to be the best one-day race ever in Guyana and as such he was feverishly preparing to take top honours.
Roraima Bikers Club will also stage the George Humphrey Memorial Cycling programme on October 27 in the inner circuit of the National Park.
