A string of changes to Sunday’s 17th annual Victor Macedo Memorial race has been introduced by the Guyana Cycling Federation.
According to Racing Secretary Malcolm Soonaram, the event will now pedal off from 10:00 hours rather than 07:30 hours as was previously reported. Soonaram explained that this shift is done in order to facilitate riders from out of Georgetown.
In addition to the change in time, the Open race has been reduced to 25 laps for a total of 60 miles. This race will see each lap attracting a prime prize with riders finishing in the top 10 walking away with a prize. Also, there will be prizes for the most aggressive rider and best team.
There will be no mountain bike category this year but there will be categories such as BMX/Open, Juniors (four laps), Females (two laps), Veterans Under 45 (five laps) and Veterans Over 45 (four laps). Each category will have prizes for the top three riders as well as sprint prizes for each lap.
The event is set to take place at the outer circuit of the National Park. The race will see the wheelsmen beginning on Vlissengen Road, a stone’s throw before the Guyana Defence Force entrance, head north, before turning into Carifesta Avenue. They will then head west before turning into Camp Street. They will then turn left into Thomas Lands, head east and turn into Vlissengen Road to complete a lap.
Registration is set for 9:30 hours and will attract a fee of $2,000 while late registration will see riders having to pay an additional $1,000.
Last year, when the event was held from Homestretch Avenue to the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and back, National Road Race Champion Curtis Dey secured the Open title, winning from a strong 50-man field in three hours, 16 minutes and 47 seconds. The distance was 73 miles.
Ajay Gopilall won the Juniors with Ian Jackson winning the Veterans division and Jude Bentley capturing the Mountain Bike title.
Apart from Dey and We Stand United’s Briton John, the likes of Paul DeNobrega, Christopher Griffith, former champion, Jamaul John, Michael Anthony, Deeraj Garbaran, Junior Niles, Marcus Keiler, Romello Crawford, Andre Green, Andrew Hicks, David Hicks, Kemuel Moses, Alex Mendes, Kwame Ridley, Jason Sampson, Adealie Hodge and others will be on show.
The event is sponsored by Macedo Transportation services and organised by the Flying Stars Cycling Club.
