The 2014 cycling season will resume tomorrow in the National Park with the staging of the 9th annual Diamond Mineral Water 11-race programme.
According to organizer of the event, Hassan Mohamed, the day’s activities is scheduled to pedal off at 09:00hrs and is geared towards attracting the cream of the nation’s wheelsmen.
Lucrative cash incentives along with trophies will be rewarded to the top riders in each event.
Mohamed also noted that a fiercely contested day of racing is anticipated since all the riders will be keen on taking pole position.
National cyclist, Raynauth Jeffrey will look to defend his title in the feature 35-lap event, in which he sprinted to victory in a time of one hour, 15 minutes and one second last year.
However, with the likes of last year’s most successful cyclist, Alanzo Greaves who won 22 races, Marlon Williams, Geron Williams, Orville Hinds and Paul De Nobrega among others, Jeffrey, who also won the national road race title and the signature five-stage road race will have his hands full.
Junior star rider, Raul Leal will look to repeat the victory he had in the Juveniles race in 2013, while the experienced Junior Niles is the defending champion of the Veterans Under-50 event.
Other categories scheduled to be contested are the 12 to 14 years boys and girls (3 laps), veterans over-50 years (5 laps), veterans over-60 years (5 laps), upright cyclists (5 laps), BMX boys open (3 laps), BMX boys 12 to 14 years (3 laps), BMX boys 9 to 12 years (3 laps) and BMX boys 6 to 9 years (3 laps).
Mohamed said his aim in 2014 is to surpass the 42 events he organized last year, he however stated that that feat can only occur through solid support from corporate Guyana.
He noted that Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has been very generous in sponsoring events under his purview over the years, but added that more sponsorship will mean additional avenues for the riders to showcase their talents.
Representatives of the conglomerate, Larry Wills and Trish Doodnauth are expected to be on hand to assist in the presentation of prizes to the top performers. (Emmerson Campbell)
