Berbician cyclist, Andrew Hicks brought his talents to the city yesterday and emphatically carted off the spoils of the feature 35-lap event of the fourth Payless Variety Store 11-race programme.
In perfect conditions for racing on the inner circuit of the National Park, the Trojan Cycle Club standout stopped the clock in one hour, 26 minutes and seven seconds.
The ever improving junior wheelsman led National riders Alanzo Greaves (Team Mengoni) and Orville Hinds (Team Gillette Evolution) on the podium while Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams (TGE), and Team Alanis’ Paul Choo-Wee-Nam and Paul DeNobrega filled out the top six rewarding positions. Hicks along with the other top six cyclists broke away from the peloton in the 10th lap and never relinquished their lead.
The six-strong unit rode as a team until Hicks changed gears in lap 30.
The 18-year old solo attacked the remnants of the break away pack and went on to win the race, lapping the field in the process. Other winners yesterday included: Ronaldo Narine (12-14 Boys and Girls), Ian Jackson (Veterans Under-50), Linden Blackman (Veterans Over-50), Nigel Duguid Jr. (Juveniles), John Niles (BMX Boys 6-9 Years), Simeon Chee (BMX Boys 9-12), Adelia Hodge (BMX 12-14) and Seon Budhan (Mountain Bike). Following the fixture, its organizer Hassan Mohamed thanked the cyclists and the sponsor for making the event a success, the last of the circuit races for the 2015 season.
Payless Variety Store was represented by its Marketing and Public Relations personnel, Rajan Tiwari and Roger Hinds, who both assisted in the presentation of prizes. Tiwari, speaking on behalf of the entity reiterated its commitment to the development of cycling and sport in general.
The riders will now take their talents to the open roads of West Demerara this morning to bring the curtain down on the 2015 season. The 16th Diamond Mineral Water 50-mile race will be staged from Wales Police Station to Bushy Park to Schoonord from 08:00hrs.
