Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 09, 2009 Sports
Wins stage 5 & sets new overall records
By Franklin Wilson
Eighteen year-old cyclist Geron Williams won the biggest race of his life to date when he stormed to victory in the 5th and final stage to claim the overall senior and junior categories when the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport / Ministry of Health / Guyana Cycling Federation, annual five-stage cycling event under the theme “Ride for Life 3” concluded yesterday with the Linden to Georgetown leg.
Williams achieved victory in commanding style as he clocked 2 hours 47 minutes 34 seconds, outsprinting to the finish line at Homestretch Avenue, Jamaican Mario Forde of the Trinidad and Tobago based Heatwave team, Tony Simon, Enzo Matthews, Kennard Lovell and Robin Persaud in that order. Forde also placed second overall.
The University of Guyana Business Management student in the process of victory set new overall senior and junior records. His overall time of 10 hours 30 minutes 51 seconds, bettered Junior Niles’ 2008 mark of 10 hours 38 minutes 13 seconds and Christopher Holder’s junior mark of 10 hours 45 minutes 47 seconds.
Holder (10: 38.50) had to settle for the runner up junior spot overall with Daniel Ramchurejee (10: 39.08) taking 3rd. Winning the open veterans category was Turhan Harris (10: 37.32) ahead of Kennard Lovell (10: 39.51) and Raymond Newton (10: 41.12).
Going into the final stage, Williams was behind the race leader Godfrey Pollydore (7: 43.16) by 11 seconds but the young rider rode a tactically flawless stage to top the field and become the youngest winner to ever win the 226 miles (365KM) event, another first.
The race got off to a brisk start in at Cara Cara, Linden with 37 cyclists facing starter’s orders. Eric Sankar and Lindener Andrew Spencer jumped out front early but it was Spencer alone a few minutes into the stage as the riders approached Amelia’s Ward.
He {Spencer} led until Silver Hill when Williams, Forde, Simon, Lovell, Wills Powell and Matthews connected and he dropped off.
This group never looked back as they consolidated their hold at the front with every pedal. There was slight confusion at the Timehri Junction turn; the leaders did not follow the route taken by the outriders and leading vehicles but opted to take the inside turn which had a number of vehicles holding in a line, fortunately, no one got hurt and the race continued with the flow.
The Guyana Police Force Traffic Ranks from Linden and the East Bank must be complimented for an excellent job in controlling heavy traffic especially on the East Bank, ensuring a safe and exciting race.
Unfortunately, Powell’s hopes of placing in the top six were dashed when he suffered a blowout at Sarah Johanna. Lovell was left behind at Craig as the top four riders continued. Approaching the finish line which saw a large crowd on hand to witness the finish, Williams dashed away from Forde with about 60 meters to go as he claimed a memorable win to the applause of the very appreciative spectators which included Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.
Williams’ mother Gemma was moved to tears as she witnessed her son storming to victory noting that it was a very proud moment for her. His dad Glen, who, as is the norm follows his son on motorcycle said it was a very proud moment for him as he congratulated him {Geron} for a deserving win.
The new champion pocketed US $1125 for the senior and junior wins with 750, 500, 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100 and 50 dollars going to the 2nd to 10th placed finishers.
The respective stage winners, Marlo Rodman, Robin Persaud, Junior Niles, Mario Forde and Williams were each rewarded with Bird phones compliments of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company while New GPC handed over hampers to all the riders who competed in this year’s race.
Meanwhile, during the formal but simple presentation ceremony attend by Minister of Sport Dr. Anthony, Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Captain Alfred King, Director of Sport Neil Kumar and President of the Guyana Cycling Federation Cheryl Thompson, Dr. Anthony congratulated all involved for what he termed a very successful race.
Dr. Anthony reminded the gathering that the event was funded by the Ministry of Health to the tune of six million Guyana dollars and that funding was secured for the race until 2015. He said the two Ministries and the governing body for the sport are committed to working together to make the race better every year.
It was reported that coming out of a recent conference, the National Aids Programme Secretariat of a number of countries were approached to sponsor riders from their countries to attend this race and the feedback has been positive. Plans for next year’s race have already commenced, Dr. Anthony informed while encouraging all present to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Dr. Ramsarran in his remarks said that the aim and primary focus of the race is to unleash the power and vigor of cyclists and supporters in the fight against HIV AIDS. Kumar noted that systems needs to be put in place to make the sport event better while congratulating Williams whom he has followed ever since he started in the National Sports Commission ‘Teach Them Young’ Programme with Coach Hassan Mohamed, for a fine victory.
Following are the stage results for seniors, juniors and the open veteran categories.
Seniors
Place Name Time
1st Geron Williams 10: 30.51
2nd Marion Forde 10: 32.04
3rd Tony Simon 10: 32.14
4th Enzo Matthews 10: 32.33
5th Robin Persaud 10: 35.35
6th Godfrey Pollydore 10: 36.01
7th Alonzo Greaves 10: 36.17
8th Simon Clarke 10: 37.17
9th Eric Sankar 10: 37.18
10th Turhan Harris 10: 37.32
Juniors
1st Geron Williams 10: 30.51
2nd Christopher Holder 10: 38.50
3rd Daniel Ramchurejee 10: 39.08
Veterans (Open)
1st Turhan Harris 10: 37.32
2nd Kennard Lovell 10: 39.51
3rd Raymond Newton 10: 41.12
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