By Avenash Ramzan
Cyclists will be putting in the miles this weekend with national coach Hassan Mohamed staging back-to-back races on March 10 and 11.
First up would be the 13th annual Diamond Mineral Water 11-race programme at the inner circuit of the National Park, exclusively sponsored by Demerara Distillers Limited.
The action will pedal off at 09:00h and riders will do battle in the usual categories- BMX, Juniors/Juveniles, Veterans and the feature School Boys and Invitational.
Berbician Romello Crawford will put his title on the line in the main race, having won last year’s event in a time of one hour, 16 minutes, 24 seconds (01h: 16m: 24s).
Other winners from last year were Curtis Dey (Juniors), Junior Niles (Veterans) and Calvin Archer (Mountain Bikes). According to organiser Mohamed, officials of Demerara Distillers Limited, including Marketing Representative Larry Wills, will be on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes.
On Sunday, the action switches to the roadways in the county of Berbice with the 21st staging of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial race.
The riders will assemble in front of Freedom House, New Amsterdam, for the official send-off at 09:00h. They will then proceed to Number 55 Village on the Corentyne and return to Port Mourant for the finish.
Shaquille Agard will be looking to make it two in a row after winning the Open race in 2017, clocking a time of two hours, six minutes, 54 seconds (02h: 06m: 54s).
Dey and Niles were champions of the Juniors and Veterans respectively, while Shane Bourne won the Mountain Bikes and Shenika Texeira was the top female rider.
The first six finishers in the Open category, as well as the first three in the Juniors, Veterans, Mountain Bikes and Females would be rewarded.
Meanwhile, Mohamed is reminding cyclists and officials that transportation to Berbice will depart Freedom House, Robb Street, at 05:00h on Sunday.
