The annual Independence Three-Stage cycle road race which was scheduled to pedal off this weekend has been postponed indefinitely due to the tense political climate.
This is according to president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Cheryl Thompson who spoke with Stabroek Sport yesterday.
Thompson noted that the two-day event which is in its 33rd year, “has been postponed but it’s definitely on.”
She added that the current environment is not conducive to stage the calendar event but reiterated that “come what may, we will have the race.”
Thompson disclosed that everything was already in place to host Guyana’s premier and longest tenured cycling race which will perhaps be postponed to this month end. “We had everything in place, numbers, prizes etc. In my mind I have month end (to reschedule the race) but we will have to look at a date and wait on the Ministry (of Sport) for confirmation.”
The race usually attracts international participation but Thompson noted that this year’s road race may be an all local affair due to the postponement.
In the first stage of the 171-mile event, riders usually start at the Corriverton Police Station and finish at New Amsterdam. (46.6 Miles) (75km).
The second stage starts the same day from Rosignol and will proceed to Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown for the finish. (60.4 Miles) (97.1km).
For the final stage, the event starts the day after in Kara Kara, Linden and concludes at Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown. (64.5 Miles) (103.3km).
Last year, Barbadian Darren Matthews won the overall trophy after completing the race in six hours, 53 minutes and 18 seconds.
A record 85 riders started the event. The 96 registrants were also a new record. (Emmerson Campbell)
