Cyclists bracing for busy Easter weekend

The Easter weekend is here and national park in Georgetown will be a hive of activities not only with kite flying and picnics but with the annual Universal Auto and General Supplies 11-race programme on Saturday. The cyclists will then take on the road on Sunday to complete back to back days on the saddle to round off a memorable holiday weekend.

After relaxing and worship for many on Good Friday, the wheelsmen will all believe that it is their time to shine on Saturday when cycling returns to the inner circuit of the National Park, Thomas Lands for the 13th Annual Universal Auto and General Supplies 11-race programme beginning at 09:00h.

Taking to the line first will be boys and girls in the various BMX categories ranging from 9 years old, 9 to12 years old, 12 to 14 years old, Open and Boys and Girls 12 to14 years old. The competitive Mountain Bike category will then be contested followed by the Veterans and Juvenile riders before the big guns take to the track in the 35-lap School Boys and Invitational feature race.

Michael Anthony is the defending champion of the main race, having won last year’s event in a time of one hour, 18 minutes, 08.62 seconds (01h: 18m: 18.62s). The other defending champions of the other categories are Christopher Cornelius (Juveniles), Junior Niles (Veterans Under-50).

The programme is being coordinated by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, and is being sponsored by veteran rider Shameer Baksh, who is also the Managing Director of Universal Auto and General Supplies.

On Easter Sunday, the riders will take to the roadways for a 70 mile race. This race will begin at the usual starting point, in front of the National Sports Commission, Homestretch Avenue at 08:00h and see riders heading up the East Bank Demerara to the Linden/Soesdyke Highway where they will turn back at the Coca Cola sign and head to the city to finish just before Tank Street, Grove.

The event will be sponsored by Chin Chan Cycle Shop, Team Cocos (Ian Q-B Davis), Tony Chung’s Body Work Shop of New York and Mark Duke (McRae Body Work Shop of New York).

The winner will receive $50,000, there will be cash prizes for the top six finishers in the open category, top three veterans, top three juniors, top three mountain bikers and top two ladies. There will 20 primes during the event which will be $5,000 per prime, so get set for lots of aggressive racing. Entrance fee for the event is $2,000 and this includes after race meals and beverages.