Competing in his first race as a senior cyclist, PSL’s Curtis Dey overcame a strong field of Guyana’s most renowned cyclists at the inner circuit of the National Park to win the 25th annual Ricks and Sari Schoolboys and Invitational 35-lap feature race.
Dey who speaking to Guyana Times Sport after his victory said that he didn’t expect to win but for the duration of the race he held his own with the pack and worked along with teammate Romello Crawford. However, Dey pointed out that while Crawford is the better sprinter; he noted that Crawford didn’t make a move on the back stretch so he took the initiative and sprinted across the finish line. The youngster was ecstatic upon winning his race ahead of the likes of Paul DeNobrega and Jamual John among others.
The overall winners of the 25th Annual Ricks and Sari Cycling Meet
Dey finished first in a time of one hour 12 minutes 51.31s and was followed by Crawford, Orville Hinds, Junior Niles, Kemuel Moses and Andre Greene.
For the duration of the race DeNobrega and Briton John were the leaders; however, a puncture put a halt to DeNobrega’s charge for victory and severely dented his chance for a win in the season opener.
Meanwhile, last year’s best senior cyclist John said that he was still getting back into shape on the circuit and pointed out that this was just a warm up of sorts.
Kennard Lovell took home the Veteran’s Over-50 title ahead of Gary Benjamin while Junior Niles started 2018 as the top Under-50 veteran cyclist.
In the 12-14-years Boys/Girls three-lap event, Jonathan Ramsuchit took top honours while Brian DeNobrega and Steve Bimson settled for second and third place in that order.
In the juvenile category Briton John finished the 10-lap race in a winning time of 23:25.41s ahead of second placed Adealie Hodge and third placed Ralph Seenarine.
Shane Browne copped the top Mountain Bikers’ spot ahead of Ozia McAulay to round things off.
The top three finishers in every category were presented with trophies while the winners walked away with hampers courtesy of the sponsor; Ricks and Sari.
The cyclists will now turn their attention to today’s Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) first ‘Points’ race of the year. The action will begin from 08:30h at the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Homestretch Avenue before proceeding to Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway before returning to the point of origin for the finish.
