Annual Mashramani cycle race meet slated for National Park Saturday

The inner circuit of the National Park will be heated by whirring wheels this Saturday when racing cyclists compete in the Annual Mashramani Cycle meet sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC) from 9am.

Eleven races are slated for the day and according to the organizer, national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed, it should be a hot programme from the word go.

“This programme has been ongoing from the time Guyana became a republic and it is always one of the meets on the cycling calendar the cyclists look forward to eagerly,” said Mohammed.

Expected to be competing once he is available is Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams who began his 2008 season with a win in the feature race last weekend at the same venue. He should be receiving some stiff competition from Enzo Matthews, 2007 National Junior Road Race Champion Chris Holder, Kamaldeen Baksh, John Charles and Jaikarran Sukhai. Geron Williams who is preparing for his examinations is also expected to be in the saddle offering some more stern opposition to Williams.

Linden ‘Blackie’ Blackman will be looking to maintain his dominance in the Veteran Under-45 category.

He can expect some stiff opposition from Kennard Lovell and Shameer Baksh. Compton Persaud will be looking to emulate Blackman in the Over-45 category but will have to stave off the challenge of Aubrey Greavsande and Virgil Jones if he intends to do so.

The card will also see action in the Juveniles (10 laps), upright cyclist (5 laps), BMX Boys Open (3 laps), and BMX Boys and Girls 6-9, 9-12 and 12-14 years.

Director of Sports of the National Sports Commission Neil Kumar is expected to present the prizes to the winning participants at the end of the day’s races.