Grenville Felix Memorial cycle race…
One of the sponsors of the fifth annual Grenville Felix Memorial cycle race, which is set for today, favours last year’s winner Paul De Nobrega.
Speaking at the launch of the event on Thursday, Rawl Grenville said De Nobrega has something special in his opinion. “I follow his exploits, as he has been riding in Georgetown and other places. I think he can do it, but it is not easy competition with the guys who will be coming, so he better be prepared,” he said, while adding that he would be delighted to have to buy a new trophy next year.
The lien trophy remains with the club and the first person to have their name inscribed on it three times will be able to take it away.
According to Grenville, each year they try to offer better and more prizes for the race. He noted that while his father could not be regarded as a cyclist, he was an ardent fan of the sport and, in fact, repaired cycles for some of Guyana’s national riders.
Organiser Randolph Roberts, who is also the Coach of the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) thanked the family and said he was looking forward to a good competition.
“On behalf of the Flying Ace Cycle Club of Berbice, I would to extend gratitude to the Felix family for coming on board for the seventh annual Grenville Felix Memorial cycle race.”
He noted that it was the biggest race on the Club’s annual calendar of events.
The race is held in honour of the late engineer who passed away five years ago at the age of 96. Felix, who was one of Guyana’s first and oldest engineers at the time of his passing, worked with Bookers and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in Guyana and various parts of the world.
The first two editions were held in honour of his birthday. The race was changed to a memorial event after he died. The event is expected to pedal off from his former residence at Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, proceed to the Number 51 Police Station before turning back to finish at its place of origin.
The race will roll off from Betsy Ground Village in East Canje, the birthplace of the late Grenville Felix; however, the starting flag will be down at Canefield in front of the house where he lived.
The race is open to both national and international cyclists and prizes will be awarded to the first 10 finishers, the first four club cyclists, the first three juniors and the first three 12-14 riders. There will also be 10 sprint point prizes up for grabs.
Meanwhile, the sponsors have arranged a special prize for the first juvenile to cross the finish line.
The race is expected to pedal off at 13:00h. (Andrew Carmichael)
