Robin Persaud put his lungs and legs to work one last time, marching up the auditorium steps of the National Cultural Centre to receive the winner’s trophy of the ‘Ride for Life’ five-stage road race.
After four days of racing in the three counties of beautiful Guyana, the former national cyclist captured the 2014 overall title yesterday following a fifth stage victory from Linden to Georgetown.
Persaud, who was third overall before the finale, triumphed in just the final stage, but was consistent throughout the four days and finished the eighth annual event in 10 hours, 26 minutes and six seconds to take home the $US1000 first prize.
Roraima Biker’s Alanzo Greaves was leading Persaud by 10 seconds heading into the hills of Linden, but had to settle for second overall, nine seconds behind.
National road race champion, Geron Williams was third overall in 10 hours, 26 minutes and 22 seconds.
Persaud, who won yesterday’s sunbaked final stage from Kara Kara to Homestretch Avenue ahead of Paul DeNobrega, Marlon Williams, Scott Savoury, Andre Green and Geron Williams, was elated by winning his first five-stage race.
“It’s always good to win races but to win this for the first time is special.”
The elder statesman of the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club, who solo attacked the peloton about two miles from the finish, added that his “plan was well calculated and executed,” in shaving off the seconds Greaves had ahead of him.
Along with the overall senior’s trophy, the soon to be 40-year-old also pocketed the winner’s trophy for the veteran’s category.
Here is the top 10 overall for the Ministry of Sport sponsored event:
1st – Robin Persaud 10hr: 26m: 06s
2nd – Alanzo Greaves 10:26:15
3rd – Geron Williams 10:26:22
4th – Marlon Williams 10:26:36
5th – Paul DeNobrega 10:29:00
6th – Scott Savory 10:29:35
7th – Michael Anthony 10:30:19
8th – Paul Choo-Wee-Nam 10:31:40
9th – Shaquel Agard 10:37:40
10th – Ray Millington 10:39:48
Juniors:
1st – Michael Anthony 10:30:19
2nd – Shaquel Agard 10:37:40
3rd – Alonzo Ambrose 10:41:07
Veterans:
1st – Robin Persaud 10:26:06
2nd – Paul Choo-Wee-Nam 10:31:40
3rd – Horace Burrowes 10:40:13
At the presentation ceremony, Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony stated that over the past eight years, his ministry, along with the Ministry of Healthy have worked together to build a strong brand and he is pleased that the event is attracting overseas riders.
Anthony also stated that “We want to see the race properly certified by the governing body (UCI) by 2016.”
Brief remarks were also made by the chief race organizer, Hassan Mohamed, Director of Sport, Neil Kumar and president of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Cheryl Thompson. (Emmerson Campbell)
