Report and photos by Royan Abrams
Linden Bauxite Flyers’ top cyclist Shaquel Agard won the opening leg of the three-stage Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycling event in Berbice on Sunday, whipping to field to record a comfortable victory in scorching heat in the Ancient County.
The race started in front of Freedom House, New Amsterdam, proceeded to Corriverton and returned to Port Mourant for the finish. Agard was in a chasing pack, but connected with the leaders just before the turn point and assumed the lead.
With about two miles from the finish line, the 20-year-old Lindener attacked and dropped Alanso Ambrose on his way to an easy win, clocking two hours, six minutes, 54 seconds (02h: 06m: 54s).
Ambrose had to settle for second, followed by Hamzah Eastman, Paul DeNobrega, Orville Hinds and Michael Anthony in that order.
In the Junior race, Curtis Dey won ahead of Marcus Keiler, while Junior Niles, Ian Jackson and Sybourne Fernandes were 1-2-3 in the Veterans category. Shane Bourne was the top rider in the Mountain Bikes division, followed by Nicholas Alphonso and Julio Melville, while Deance Welch won the Female race from Shineika Texieira.
At the presentation ceremony, People’s Progressive Party’s Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, told that gathering that “winning is important, but participating in an activity like today’s activity to remember the works, the legacy of a great individual, the son of the soil, the father of the nation, former president and leader of our party, is equally important.”
Former Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, lauded the cyclists for turning out to the event, and praised Berbicians, who lined many parts of the race route to witness the riders in action.
The Berbice leg, held for the 20th year, was sponsored by BK International. The second leg will be held in West Demerara on March 12, while the final leg is set for Essequibo on March 19.
