Nearly 90 riders registered for three-stage road race

By Emmerson Campbell

This year’s 30th annual three-stage road race which is being organized by national cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed for the 46th Independence Anniversary celebrations, is gearing up to be one of the best ever.

According to Mohamed in a telephone interview with Stabroek Sport, the event which pedals off tomorrow morning in Berbice, is expected to be very competitive and faster than last year’s record time.

Hassan Mohamed

The three-stage race which will cover a distance of 171.5 miles (274.3km) is expected to attract the crème de la crème of local riders from all the clubs in Guyana as well as overseas riders who will use the event as a warm-up for other races abroad.

Said Mohamed: “We are working for this year’s three- stage race to be one of the best if not the best ever, so far we have 84 riders registered. We have teams from all the clubs – Roraima Bikers, Flying Ace, Flying Stars, Bauxite Flyers from Linden, Carlton Wheelers, Continental – then we have some overseas riders from Trinidad they have Heat Wave and from Miami they have CoCo.”

Last year’s winner was Yosmani Pol of Team Coco from Miami, Florida, who won the event in six hours, 39 minutes and 34 seconds.

Mohamed stated that cash prizes, trophies, prime prizes and stage prizes will be up for grabs. The top six overall finishers will each receive lucrative cash incentives.

When asked what he expects of the local riders this weekend, Mohamed opined that they are talented enough to finish in the top position as long as they cooperate  with each other.

The national cycling coach further stated that the recent inclement weather would not affect the event as it will go on regardless if it rains.

The first stage will commence at 7:30hrs at the Corriverton Police Station and will finish at New Amsterdam. (46.6 Miles) (75km).

The second stage starts the same day at 14:00hrs from Rosignol and will proceed to Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown for the finish. (60.4 Miles) (97.1km).

The final stage of the event will start on Sunday at 08:00hrs in Kara Kara, Linden and will conclude at Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown. (64.5 Miles) (103.3km).

Cyclists were required to register their names with their respective clubs or team manager for submission not later than May 3 during normal working hours at the National Sports Commission Office, 91 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg.

Transportation will leave the National Sports Commission Office today at 12:00hrs with cyclists and officials for Springlands, East Berbice.