12th Diamond Mineral Water 11-race meet set for Saturday

Judging from the races organised by National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed, the intensity is expected to be in full flow when the top local cyclists contend for the top spot in the 12th edition of the Diamond Mineral Water 11-race programme this Saturday.

The riders will return to circuit racing after a few road races as the inner circuit of the National Park, Thomas Lands will be transformed into their battleground.

Orville Hinds is the defending champion
Orville Hinds is the defending champion

The day of racing will pedal off from 09:00h with riders contesting the BMX boys and girls among other races before the main event, the featured 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race.

The last time the wheelsmen met in this event, it was Orville Hinds who won the feature event in a time of one hour, 19 minutes and 58 seconds. Hinds had been riding for Team Evolution on that outing, but this year he will be heading into the race unattached.

Hinds has not had the best of starts to his cycling season after being unable to secure an outstanding performance, but, nevertheless, he remains in contention for a title repeat.

Among the contests within the contest will be the battle between Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman and Linden Bauxite Flyers’ Shaquel Agard for the number one spot in the country.

Eastman, who currently holds the top spot, has already had a hat-trick of wins while Agard is entering the race on a two-race winning streak. A win could secure either of these riders the top spot.

Raphael Leung won the Juniors division last year, while Junior Niles was the leading Veteran Under-50 rider and Keon Thomas was the top Mountain Bike rider. Representatives of Demerara Distillers Limited, including marketing boss Larry Wills, are expected to witness the races and later assist in the presentation of prizes.