The cream of the nation’s wheelsmen will renew their rivalry tomorrow when Hassan Mohamed resumes his cycling calendar.
The 10th annual Laparkan 11-race programme billed to pedal off at 09:00hrs is set to transform the National Park into a cycling speedway as the riders will unchain their competitive juices ahead of the eight annual Ride for Life five-stage event later this month.
Captain of Carlton Wheelers Club, Robin Persaud is set to defend his title in the feature 35-lap event, having sprinted to victory last year in one hour, 18 minutes and 16 seconds.
However, with the likes of national cyclists, Alanzo Greaves, Marlon Williams, Hamza Eastman, Raynauth Jeffrey and Paul DeNobrega among others, the evergreen 40-year-old will have his hands full.
Eastman, of Team Coco’s, won the Juveniles race in 2013 but has since graduated to the senior ranks, paving the way for another cyclist to take the top spot. The experienced Linden Blackman 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, added that that feat can only occur through solid support from corporate Guyana.
He noted that Laparkan 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.
Employees of the company are expected to be on hand to assist in the presentation of prizes to the top performers. (Emmerson Campbell)
