The in-form Warren ‘Forty’ McKay out sprinted Alonzo Greaves to win yesterday’s sixth annual Wheat-Up cycle road race on the East Bank Demerara sponsored by the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) and organised by the Roraima Bikers Club.
McKay, who has shown top form this season, won the race by the length of a wheel after he staved off a strong challenge from last year’s winner Greaves.
He finished in a time of two hours, 44 minutes, 36.80 seconds in the event which started at Agricola proceeded to Long Creek on the Linden Soesdyke Highway and returned to the place of origin.
Ian Jackson placed third with Christopher Persaud securing the fourth position, Alex Mendes fifth and Geron Williams sixth.
McKay also secured four sprint point prizes with Tony Simone claiming two, while Leer Nunes, Persaud and Jackson captured one each.
Williams was the first junior to cross the finishing line with Michael Nelson occupying the second position.
Kenneth Lovell, last year’s winner in the Veteran category was dethroned by Berbician Gary Benjamin with Lyndon Blackman capturing the third place prize.
There was also a special prize for amputee Walter Grant Stewart who participated and finished the race.
Special prizes were also awarded to the top finishers from Roraima Bikers Club and they included Albert Philander (senior), Michael Nelson (Junior) and Monty Parris (Veteran).
Chief Executive Officer of NAMILCO Bert Sukhai in brief remarks said that the race has become a major event on the local cycling calendar and he challenged the organizers to make every effort to make the race an international one next year.
He said the race should take on a significant meaning since it is held on Caricom Day every year and he would like to see participants from Caricom territories competing in the future.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar disclosed that NAMILCO has demonstrated that it is a good corporate citizen by sponsoring many sporting activities including football, boxing, cycling and more recent the Inter-Guiana Games.
President of Roraima Bikers Club Brian Allen lauded NAMILCO on its 40th Anniversary being celebrated this year and spoke about the long relationship between his Club and the local milling company.
He also paid tribute to Winston “George” Humphrey of Humphrey’s Bakery who initiated the annual event.
