Persaud makes it three in a row…wins Reagan Rodrigues Memorial event again 

Robin Persaud is turning the Reagan Rodrigues Memorial 50-mile road race into a one man show.

Yesterday, the evergreen 39-year old was again victorious in the annual West Demerara fixture for the third successive year.

The Carlton Wheelers’ elder wheelsman made it three in a row by out pedaling Team Coco’s Chris Holder and Team United’s Mario King in a thrilling sprint finish.

Persaud also carted off half of the eight sprint prizes in winning the 10th annual event in one hour, 56 minutes and 50 seconds. More than a half of a minute faster than his winning time last year (1hr:57m:27s).

Team Alanis’ Captain, Paul Choo-We-Nam and junior riders Kravitz Jeffrey finished a few bike lengths back in the fourth, fifth and sixth positions.

The race rolled off at Wales at a moderate pace but at Vreed-en-Hoop on the upward journey to Parika, the top six riders along with Hamza Eastman changed gears and separated from the rest of the 38 starters.

Unfortunately, Eastman suffered mechanical problems and was forced off the pace. The other six riders however rode in tandem and continued to stave off the peloton.

Their teamwork paid off as the six cyclists journeyed all the way back together until about 300m from the finish.

As expected teamwork was shelved and a fierce sprint to the line ensued. Persaud then turned on the jets on the home straight to record the trifecta.

 

Winners and runners up of this year’s 10th annual Reagan Rodrigues road race pose with their winning spoils with Hassan Mohamed and members of the Rodrigues’ family. (Orlando Charles photo)
Winners and runners up of this year’s 10th annual Reagan Rodrigues road race pose with their winning spoils with Hassan Mohamed and members of the Rodrigues’ family. (Orlando Charles photo)

Race Summary

 

Top 6 Overall

Robin Persaud

Christopher Holder

Mario King

Paul Choo-We-Nam

Kravitz Jeffrey

Alonzo Ambrose

 

Juniors

Kravitz Jeffrey

Alonzo Ambrose

Shaquel Agard

Veterans

Davenand Ramnarine

Talim Shaw

Steve Ramsuchit

 

Mountain Bikers

Ozia McAlley

Julio Melville

Deeraj Garbarran

 

Notes: The race is held in memory of Rodrigues, the founder of the Carlton Wheelers club and former president of the Guyana Cycling Federation.

At the presentation ceremony, winners and runners up were presented with food hampers and trophies by members of the Rodrigues family and representatives of Ricks and Sari, the company that sponsored the event.

Brief congratulatory remarks were also made to the cyclist for making the event a success by organizer of the race,

Hassan Mohamed and Director of Sport, Neil Kumar.