“Let us be disciplined, ride well and break some records”.
Some of the words mentioned by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony yesterday at his office during the formal sendoff of the cyclists competing in the seventh annual ‘Ride For Life’ five-stage event which pedals off this morning.
Anthony also said: “We would like to see this race become the premier race in the Caribbean and on the international cycling calendar.”
He also thanked the Ministry of Health for funding the Tour of Guyana over the past six years and stated that this year’s race will be sponsored by his ministry.
The gruelling event, which was won last year by Colombian, Jaime Ramirez of Team Coco’s in a record nine hours, 46 minutes and 51 seconds, will require the 76 starters to cover a total of 266 miles.
The first stage rolls off today from 07:30 hrs at Corriverton and ends at New Amsterdam (46 miles). Later today, stage two will begin at 14:00 hrs when the riders will pedal off at Rosignol and journey to Georgetown (60 miles).
Tomorrow, stage three starts at 09:00 hrs at Wales and end at Parika (35 miles).
On Saturday, the penultimate stage will commence at 07:30 hrs at Supenaam and conclude at Suddie (62 miles).
On the final day, Sunday, the final stage will pedal off at 8:30 hrs with the cyclists riding from Linden and finishing in Georgetown in another 62-mile race.
All top 10 finishers will receive cash prizes and trophies.
The top three finishers will receive US$1,000 and a trophy, US$750 and a trophy and US$500 and a trophy respectively.
National road race champion, Raynauth Jeffrey last year’s road race winner, Orville Hinds, fellow Lindener Rastaff Oselmo along with the inform, Alanzo Greaves and other national cyclists, Robin Persaud, Junior Niles, Enzo Matthews, Geron Williams, Paul DeNobrega and top juniors Hamza Eastman and Michael Anthony will come up against stiff competition from the overseas riders from the USA (Scott Savoury, Andrew Newton and Samuel Barker), Canada (Gerard Yates), Barbados (Darren Matthews) and Colombians, Antonio Gonsalves and Ramirez, the defending champion.
The tour is destined to have a new junior champion since last year’s winner, DeNobrega has graduated to the senior ranks.
Also speaking at the sendoff was President of the GCF, Cheryl Thompson who welcomed the overseas riders and urged all the cyclists to have a very competitive and safe ride in each of the stages.
In his address to the cyclists Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, assured the cyclists a safe ride throughout the four days as he said he had spoken to the Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Commanders while also emphasizing that medical equipment and personnel will be on hand throughout the five stages in case any rider needs medical attention
Also at the briefing were National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed and Permanent Secretary of the Sports Ministry, Alfred King.
Last year’s winners
Overall Winner – Jaime Ramirez (Team Coco’s)
(9Hrs/46Mins/51Secs)
Junior – Paul DeNobrega (9 Hrs./57Mins/01Secs)
Veteran – Kennard Lovell (10:15:24)
