Top cyclist Alonzo Greaves has been able to put his own unique stamp on the annual Wheat-Up cycle road race over a period of two years.
Greaves, who finished in the runner-up position in 2007, went one better last year, winning from Warren Mc Kay in the 65-mile event.
This year’s event which takes place tomorrow has the added significance in that the sponsors – the National Milling Company – Namilco will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
A repeat victory for him would indeed be significant but while tomorrow’s event is expected to once again be a battle between Greaves and Warren “40” Mc Kay, top riders like Junior Niles and Robin Persaud can upset the applecart.
Additionally one can certainly not rule out riders of the calibre of Darren
Allen, Geron Williams, Jaikarran Sukhai, John Persaud and Alex Mendes.
In the veteran category, last year’s winner Kennard Lovell should receive stiff opposition from the likes of Gary Benjamin, Virgil Jones and Linden Blackman.
The defending junior champion is Christopher Persaud who, like Greaves, will be aiming to make it two wins in a row.
His quest will be challenged by the likes of Enzo Matthews and Michael Nelson, last year’s second and third place finishers respectively.
Namilco has teamed up with Roraima Bikers to stage the sixth edition of the event which is held on CARICOM Day.
This year’s race is scheduled to “roll start” from the Namilco building at 8:00am, proceed to Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and return to finish outside Two Brothers Gas Station at the junction of Eccles and Flour Mill Road.
The veterans will turn back at the Soesdyke Public Road/Linden Highway Junction and return to finish at Two Brothers Gas Station.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the first six finishers in the senior category and the first three finishers in the junior and veteran categories.
The first place finisher in each category will also receive a trophy.
All cyclists participating in this event will receive a token of appreciation
from Namilco for joining them in celebrating their 40th Anniversary.
Namilco’s CEO Bert Sukhai and other executives will assist with the presentation of prizes immediately after the event in the company’s compound.
Cyclists are required to be registered by 07:30am on the morning of the event.