The rain could not hold back the large contingent of riders who took to the road this morning to take part in the Ocean View International Hotel 60-mile cycle race.

Henry Rambarran jnr., presents Alonzo Greaves, left, with the first place trophy on behalf of the sponsors. At centre is national cycling coach and race organizer, Hassan Mohammed. (Aubrey Crawford photo)

The race was held as part of CARIFESTA X activities and according to national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed:“it was a good race although the rain affected the start aimed for.”

Mohammed said that although the weather was terrible the turnout and the riders were excellent.

The race which saw competition in the junior, senior, veteran and upright  categories, saw the veterans and uprights turning back at Mahaica and the seniors and juniors turning back at Mahaicony.

Alonzo Greaves was the winner in the senior category, stealing the race in a driving finish from John Charles and Robin Persaud who settled for second and third respectively.

Greaves won in a time of 2:11:17:68s.

Speaking to Stabroek Sport Greaves said the conditions were not the best for racing but he put his best pedal forward to come home ahead of his rivals.

“I am using this race as a warm-up for the three-stage race set for Trinidad and Tobago soon,” Greaves told Stabroek Sport adding that he was training for the race which is expected to be held at the end of August or early September.

Yesterday’s race, which carried nine prime points, saw Greaves and Warren Mc Kay, who finished fifth, winning three each and  Charles, Raymond Newton and Junior Geron Williams winning one each. Lear Nunes finished fourth and McKay fifth among the seniors while
In the juniors category, Williams out rode his competition bring first and Daniel Ramchurejee second.
In the veterans over-50 race, Kennard Lovell placed first followed by Virgil Jones, Gary Blackman and Talim Shaw in that order.

And, in the upright category, Kester Croal finished ahead of Jamal Bentley and Joel Jafferally, who placed second and third respectively.

In a brief presentation ceremony that followed Henry Rambarran Jr., on behalf of the sponsor, said that he was pleased with the race and the professional way it was held.