National Cycling Championships billed for this weekend

The country’s top riders would take to the circuit today (Saturday May 22) and tomorrow (Sunday May 23) for the National Cycling Championships, after enduring a gruelling ride in the Independence Three-Stage Cycle Race last weekend from the border town of Corriverton in East Berbice to the capital city of Georgetown, and then from the mining town of Linden in Upper Demerara to Georgetown for the grand finale.
Today, Saturday, the National Time Trials would pedal off on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway from 7:30h, with the riders tackling a lumpy course over 10 miles.
Tomorrow, Sunday, the road race commences at 7:30h in front of the Banks DIH Headquarters at Thirst Park, before proceeding to Dora on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and returning to Banks DIH Thirst Park for the finish. The event will cover a distance of 100 miles.
Fresh from a display of supremacy in the Independence Three-Stage Race, Briton John has set his sights on winning the National Championships.
“I really want to win the Championships, and I am really looking forward to it,” Briton John said after his triumph in the Three-Stage.
Team Foundation’s Raynauth ‘Obeahman’ Jeffrey is also a favourite to win today’s National Time Trial Championships. This East Coast Demerara resident has raced a number of time trials in the USA with outstanding results. However, he would face stiff opposition from last year’s champion, Briton John, and from Jamual John.
The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has indicated that Sunday’s National Road Cycling Championships is an event that is open to all cyclists over 19 years old (seniors).
Meanwhile, the Masters, Juniors, Juveniles and Ladies National Road Championships will be held on Sunday May 30th around the Old Road Circuit in Mahaica. The Masters and Juniors will race for 50 miles, or 8 laps; the Ladies will cover 25 miles, or 4 laps; and the Juveniles will race for 25 miles or 4 laps.
GCF President, Linden Dowridge, has said the recently concluded Independence Three-Stage Race was a good warm-up for the cyclists who will compete in the National Championships.