Former national champ and veteran cyclist Wilber Benjamin used his experience to win the Mayor’s Cup around the town 25-mile cycle road race on Sunday in New Amsterdam.
Benjamin also won the REO’s (Regional Executive Officer’s) trophy. The event which was organised by cycle coach Randolph Roberts for the Flying Ace Cycle Club was the first such event to be held in the town for more than two decades.
Sixteen cyclists had earlier participated in a ride pass with the solute being taken by Mayor Winifred Yearwood, former mayor Errol Alphanso, sponsor Lloyd Roberts and head of the Municipal Constabulary Assistant Superintendent Charles Roberts.
The winner poses for a photo opportunity
The race was for ten laps using Republic Road into Vryheid Street, Main Street and Philadelphia Street. Benjamin, Balram Narine, Ralph Seenarine, Clement Doris and Syborne Fernandez broke away on the first lap and remained together until the end.
There was rivalry among the five as five sprint point prizes were up for grabs; one at the completion of each lap, Narine grabbed three and Seenarine the other two.
The winner of the race was decided in the last 100 meters as they all came off of their seats in a dash for the finish line. However, Benjamin had the perfect timing to start the sprint and by the time the younger legs could follow he was already too far ahead.
Narine, Seenarine, Doris and Fernandez followed in that order with the later not worrying to participate in the final 100-meter dash which determined the top five placing. Narine and Seenarine crossed the finish line almost simultaneously.
Seenarine was also the first junior cyclist to complete the distance. In the BMX 12- 14 category over the same distance, Shivnarine Bhowandin was the winner with Mario Washington second and Jeremiah Joseph third.
The BMX 9- 12 category was won by Nehum Rigby ahead of Sachin Karan and Daniel Blair while the BMX 6- 9 category was won by Lumesh Singh finishing before Nashawn Rigby and Gregory Daniels.
In what was considered the veteran category 67-year-old Daniel Rigby lapped 78-year-old Lloyd Williams; both riders went the full distance.
A special prize was also given to Arfaan Blair. The 5-year-old in the BMX 6- 9 and showed great potential with his finish.
Meanwhile, Coach Roberts explained that the Mayors Cup will remain with the club and given to the cyclist who wins it for three consecutive years.
(Andrew Carmichael)
