By Avenash Ramzan
Providing the weather is favourable on Saturday, the inner circuit of the National Park will be transformed into a battlefield, as the country’s leading wheelsmen take to the starter’s line to compete in the sixth annual Powerade 11-race cycling programme.
A heavy downpour had forced organisers to put a hold on proceedings two weeks ago when the programme was initially supposed to be held, and according to chief coordinator Hassan Mohamed, he is hoping the rain stays away this weekend.
Saturday’s programme is set to pedal off at 09:00h with the country’s up and coming riders taking centre stage in the various BMX age group races. Young boys and girls will compete in the BMX 6-9, 9-12, 12-14, Open and BMX Boys and Girls, followed by the seasoned campaigners taking to the line to showcase their prowess.
They would compete in the Juniors/Juveniles, Veterans Under and Over-50, Mountain Bikes and the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational.
Last year’s main race was won by Team Gillette Evolution’s Michael Anthony, who completed the course in a time of one hour, 15 minutes, 03 seconds (01h: 15m: 03s). But the youngster is set to face a still challenge in his quest to retain the title, by no other than his clubmate Orville Hinds.
Hinds is brimming with confidence following a dominant performance in last weekend’s 34th annual Independence Three-Stage, where he was crowned overall champion after winning Stages One and Three and finishing second in Stage Two.
At the Powerade race last year, Jamal John of Team Coco’s had won the 10-lap Juveniles race in 23 minutes, 57.6 seconds (23m: 57.6s), while fellow teammate John Niles topped the five-lap Veterans Under-50 in 11 minutes, 56 seconds (11m: 56s).
With a time of seven minutes, 56 seconds (07m: 56s), Daniel Perreira won the 12-14 Boys and Girls three-lap race, while Raynauth Jeffrey won the five-lap Mountain Bike race in 12 minutes, 57 seconds (12m: 57s).
Representatives of Banks DIH Limited, including Outdoor Events Manager, Mortimer Stewart, are expected to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion.
CAPTION: Flashback! Race Organiser Hassan Mohamed (extreme right) with the top performers of the 2015 programme. Defending champion Michael Anthony is third from right. (Avenash Ramzan file photo)
