After a lengthy hiatus of competitive racing, local wheelsman will unchain their competitive juices on Saturday with the staging of the 33rd annual Independence Three-stage cycling event.
The staging of the two-day event was confirmed yesterday by President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Cheryl Thompson. The annual fixture was billed for May 15 and 16 but was justifiably postponed due to the tense political climate. Thompson disclosed that everything is in place to host Guyana’s premier and longest tenured cycling race.
“We (riders and officials) will leave the National Sports Commission on Friday at midday and head to Berbice where the first stage will begin” said Thompson.
The race usually attracts international participation but the GCF head 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)
