4th annual Urban Benjamin Memorial “Gold” race set for Sunday
Guyana’s top cyclists will continue their battle on Sunday October 17 when they invade the Essequibo Coast for the fourth annual Urban Benjamin Memorial cycle race organised by Evolution Cycle Club and sponsored by businessman Conrad Gomes.
All of the top riders will be going all out to win this race (Brandon Corlette photo)
Seniors, juniors and under-45 cyclists will travel from Charity to Supenaam before returning to the starting line for the finish, covering a distance of 74 miles. The ladies and over-50s will pedal off about two minutes before the other categories, and will turn back at Anna Regina, covering about 35 miles. The top six seniors along with the top three in the other categories will all be rewarded.
The late Urban Benjamin had been a cycling enthusiast. He met his demise following an ATV accident whilst working in the interior. Sponsor of this event, businessman Conrad Gomes, and his company, in an effort to keep the memory of a good worker alive, decided to host this event for the lad who hailed from the Pomeroon.
President of Team Evolution Cycle Club, Keith Fernandes, had said it is the tradition of the club to present all entrance fees garnered to Benjamin’s widow, who attends all the races and would be present on Sunday for the contest.
The last time this race was held was in 2019, and it was won by Jamual John, who is expected to defend his title on Sunday, coming fresh from last Sunday’s Kadir Mohamed Memorial ‘Ounce of Gold’ race triumph. The inaugural race was won by Paul De Nobrega, with his Evolution teammate Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith winning the race the other year.
With the terrain being a flat one, this race is anticipated to be a very fast and tactical contest, with the likes of Briton John; the Burrowes brothers, Horace and Yohan; Alex Mendes, Paul Choo Wee Nam, Walter Grant-Stuart, Curtis Dey and Andrew Hicks all staking a claim for the top prize.
The juniors’ class will see the likes of Sherwin Sampson, Alex Leung, Mario Washington and Aaron Newton battling, while the ladies’ division is expected to be dominated yet again by National Champion Susan Hamilton.
