16th Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycle road race..Jeffrey could be hard pressed to retain title

Guyana’s top cyclists will compete today in the Berbice leg of the 16th annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial road race.

The event is scheduled to pedal off at 9am in front of Freedom House in New Amsterdam, proceed to Number 55 village and return to Jagan’s birthplace of Port Mourant for the finish, a distance of 55 miles.

After a successful road-race organized by the Flying Ace Cycle Club and sponsored by overseas-based Guyanese, Wilbert Benjamin in East Berbice on Mashramani Day, riders from across the country will join their counterparts from Berbice in the memorial race in honour of the former president of Guyana.

The veteran, upright, and female cyclists will turn back at Hogg Stye on the upward journey and finish at Port Mourant, a distance of approximately 24 miles.

 Alonso Greaves
Alonso Greaves

Rising star Raynauth Jeffrey won last year’s event in two hours, 23 minutes, 29 seconds.

 Raynauth Jeffrey
Raynauth Jeffrey

Jeffrey, who also won the junior category, has since moved up to the senior level making way for a new junior champion to be crowned this year.

With the likes of Alonzo Greaves showing tremendous form this year and seasoned campaigners Warren McKay, Geron Williams, Marlon Williams and youngsters Paul DeNobrega, Raul Leal and Michael Anthony all set to compete; Jeffrey could be hard pressed to retain the senior title.

The experienced Kennard Lovell will face competition from Junior Niles and Shameer Baksh among others in his defence of the veterans race while Nigel Jacobs (upright), Naomi Singh (female) and Walter Isaacs (veteran O-60) will look to keep a hold on their respective categories.

According to national coach and organiser of the activity, Hassan Mohamed, similar races will be held in West Demerara on March 10 and Essequibo on March 24.

Mohamed also informed this publication that transportation for cyclists and officials for today’s race will leave the Ministry of Sport building at 91 Middle Street, Georgetown, at 5am.

“We’re appealing to cyclists to be at the location on time so that we can have a smooth flow throughout the day,” Mohamed said.
The race is being sponsored by BK International for the 16th year in succession.