Akeem Wilkinson upsets ‘big guns’ to clinch Rodrigues Memorial title

By Brandon Corlette

Team Evolution’s Akeem Wilkinson produced a record-breaking effort on Sunday to win the 41-mile Regan Rodrigues Memorial Road Race in a time of one hour, 37 minutes and 55 seconds.

Number One! Wilkinson enjoying the monumental moment of his finish (Brandon Corlette photos)

This race — which pedalled off at 8:30h from the Demerara Harbour Bridge, to proceed to Bushy Park at Parika and then return to the point of origin for the finish — saw participation from all the country’s top cyclists, and a furious battle for supremacy at the finish.
Seven riders sprinted it out in a tense finish that had the large gathering captivated in excitement and drama, but Wilkinson managed to edge Berbician cycling ace Curtis Dey into second position and Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) President Horace Burrowes into third position as he scoured the recesses of his endurance to produce the win.
Alonzo Ambrose came in fourth position, while the veteran Lear Nunes rode in fifth position as Linden’s Jornel Yearwood pedalled in sixth position.

The outstanding cyclists and officials stand together after the presentation ceremony

Jamaul John, cycling champion of the 2018 Regan Rodrigues Memorial race and the 2019 National race, has been dethroned; while cycling mega-stars Michael Anthony, Briton John, Romello Crawford, Andre ‘Padlock’ Green, Walter Grant-Stewart and Paul De Nobrega have all failed to cop top positions in the senior (open) category of this race, which was won by Wilkinson.
The 2019 Junior Cycling Champion, Berbician Ajay Gopilall, emerged as the top junior wheelsman; while Jason Sampson, who placed second, and Gopillall’s Trojan Cycling Club team mate Jonathan Ramsuchit, who placed third, were the top junior riders.

For winning this race, Akeem Wilkinson of Team Evolution walked away with silverware and a hamper sponsored by Ricks and Sari Argo Industries

GCF President Horace Burrowes again dominated the veterans’ category, while longstanding riders Lear Nunes and Kwame Ridley rode in second and third positions respectively.
Linden Bauxite Flyers’ Michael Anthony won two sprint prizes; while McKay, De Nobrega, Briton John, Greene, Marlon Williams and Christopher Griffith each won a sprint prize.
A special prize was awarded to 2019 National Veteran champion Andrew Spencer of Team Evolution.
Addressing the media after his breakthrough race, Wilkinson expressed surprise at his efforts during this race, especially because he had had a long hiatus from cycling.
“I was off the bike for a while, but coming back in this race, I managed to get into the seven-man break-away at the finish, and I was fortunate to win it”, he disclosed.
He added that the race was not altogether difficult, but the conditions were a bit windy.
This race, organised by Hassan Mohammed, was hailed a success; and a record-breaking one at that, because the top cyclists had clocked in approximately four minutes earlier than in last year’s race.
All outstanding cyclists were presented with respective trophies and items from Ricks and Sari Argo Industries.

Regan Rodrigues
Having come into this world on February 21, 1948 and departing therefrom on August 4, 2004, the late Regan Rodrigues had been a former President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) and of the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club.
However, he had been more known in the sporting fraternity as a racing car driver, and had been conferred with several racing championship honours as a racing champion. He had also been known as a sports enthusiast.
This race, in honour of his memory, was sponsored by Ricks and Sari Argo Industries Limited.
The hectic cycle season will continue on August 10-11 with the Junior Championships in Bartica, followed by the August 18 race slated to pedal-off in Essequibo.