Greaves returns to his triumphant ways

Roraima Bikers Club (RBC), Alanzo Greaves returned to his triumphant ways yesterday by winning the feature 30-lap event of the eighth annual George Cumberbatch Memorial event in a thrilling five-man sprint finish.

In windy, overcast conditions at the Seawall Bandstand, Greaves, winner of 22 races last year including this one put on a tactical and dominant display of riding to win his first event of the season.

The national cyclist led Continental Cycle Club standout, Geron Williams, Team United’s Orville Hinds,

Alanzo Greaves pumps celebrates as he is about to cross the finish line yesterday. (Orlando Charles photo)
Alanzo Greaves pumps celebrates as he is about to cross the finish line yesterday. (Orlando Charles photo)

national road race champion, Raynauth Jeffrey and Team Alanis’ Raul Leal and Paul DeNobrega into the top six paid positions.

Along with the $10,000 first prize, last year’s most successful wheelsman also carted off two sprint prizes.

Jeffrey copped four sprint prizes while two went to Hinds and one apiece to Williams and Shaquel Agard.

The event started off at fever pitch pace with Jeffrey and Agard setting the pace. During the second lap however Greaves, Williams, Hinds and Leal changed gears and along with Agard and Jeffrey, the six riders separated from the rest of the 50 starters.

These six riders blessed with superior stamina and sprinting ability worked as a team to steadily increase their lead on the chasers.

By lap 20 the lead ballooned to 30 seconds despite the valiant efforts by the chasers to connect.

Two laps later Agard was dropped from the lead pack and exited the race citing of fatigue.

The five riders however continued to on their journey and steadily attacked each other, Williams and Jeffrey the main suspects.

At the bell lap it was anyone’s race as the leaders were still bunched up. With their eyes glued to the riders, fans who surrounded the venue were overheard saying it was the inform William’s race to win since he had won two earlier races in the day.

With 200M from the finish, team work was thrown out the window as the leaders rose from their saddles and begun to sprint to the line.

Williams had the early advantage, Hinds was lurking just behind but Greaves timed his move to perfection. His teeth clenched and eyes focused on the line, Greaves dug deep and closed on Williams with every powerful turn of the pedals. At 50m from the finish the two national riders were wheel to wheel but Greaves, possessing superior sprinting ability, blew by Williams and successfully defended his title.

Other winners at yesterday’s nine-race meet were Williams (Category One to Three, Five- lap event), Williams again in the Win and Out, Junior  Niles (Veteran’s Under-50 Years), Virgil Jones (Veteran’s Over 50 Years), Ozia McAlley (Mountain Bikes Open), Delroy Hinds Eastman (Juniors/ Category Four), Sherwin Sampson (BMX six to nine) and Ammo Gomes (BMX Open)

According to president of the RBC, Brian Allen, the event was a resounding success and he envisions a bigger and better staging next year