The nation’s best riders along with foreign wheelsmen will do battle in the ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage Road Race from October 16.
This and other details of the eighth annual four-day fixture were unveiled during yesterday’s formal launch at the Ministry of Sport.
According to the Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, the event which sees riders competing in all three counties of Guyana, has steadily improved due to the participation and competitive nature of foreigners.
Dr. Anthony then challenged the event’s organisers to work towards making the race an international one on the UCI’s calendar.
He divulged that the road race, which was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Health, will be solely sponsored by his ministry.
He stated that the relationship between the two ministries was still a smooth one adding that this year they would be working to share information on the dreaded Chikungunya virus, along with highlighting the HIV/Aids epidemic.
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, in brief remark, said that all security, accommodation and medical arrangements are in place. Kumar added that discussions were held with the Regional Chairmen of the various regions that the race will be passing through.
Chief organiser of the race, Hassan Mohamed, and president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Cheryl Thompson, disclosed that they expect a competitive race while stating that some of the foreign riders have already invaded our shores.
As customary, the first stage will see the riders starting outside the Corriverton Police station and proceeding to Main and Alexander Streets, New Amsterdam, a distance of approximately 46.6s miles (75km).
The riders will then have some hours to rest and service their bikes before the second stage commences at 2pm at Rosignol and proceed to Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown for the finish, a distance of approximately 60.4s miles (96km).
Stage three will commence on October 17 from Wales Police Station at 9:30 hours and proceed to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo, some 35 miles (56km).
Stage four will see the riders riding from Supenaam to Charity on October 18, from 07:30hrs for the longest leg of the event which is approximately 67 miles (107.05km).
The event will then culminate on October 19 with the riders making their way from Kara Kara, Linden to Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown, approximately 64.6 miles (103.3km).
Registration closes on Monday. Cyclists can register at Mohamed’s office at the Help and Shelter building on Homestretch Avenue during normal business hours.
Last year’s overall winner was Team Coco’s Raynauth Jeffrey.
