10th CARICOM DAY ‘WHEAT UP’ CYCLING CLASSIC…Seawall Bandstand to host 12 race event on Monday

Jun 27, 2013 Sports

By Franklin Wilson

Taking on a whole new format this year, the 10th annual CARICOM Day ‘WHEAT UP’ Cycling Classic organised by the Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) and sponsored by The National Milling company of Guyana (NAMILCO) is set to light up the Seawall Bandstand on Monday next.
Traditionally run as a Road Race on the East Bank and the Linden Soesdyke Highway, the organisers and sponsor have agreed that from this year, the event will take on bigger proportions that will see the cyclists and spectators benefitting much more.
Spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy more events while the athletes will be involved in more races and also have the opportunity of enjoying more lucrative prizes like in the case of the feature race – WHEAT UP CLASSIC – an open 30-lap contest where the winner will ride away with $30,000 and a trophy as well as One Year’s supply of WHEAT UP, all compliments of NAMILCO.
This feature event which is open to all riders also has 15 Sprint Prizes at stake worth $1,000 each.
Finance Controller of NAMILCO Fitzroy McLeod at yesterday’s presentation of the sponsorship cheque to President of RBC, Brian Allen, said that his company was again pleased to bring this event to the fore for the 10th consecutive year, noting that it has taken on a new and improved dimension this time around.

Photo saved as NAMILCO CARICOM DAY MEET PRES 003 – NAMILCO Finance Controller Fitzroy Mc Leod (3rd right) hands over the cheque RBC President Brian Allen with Assistant to the Managing Director Automaram Lakeram (centre) and other staff members savoring the moment.

“It is indeed a pleasure for NAMILCO to be once again associated with this event which we have worked on to be more entertaining and to ensure that spectators are more involved in. We are very pleased to announce that we will be increasing the prize monies which we believe will go a far way in developing the sport and making it more attractive to the average spectator.”
Brian Allen said more exposure for the cyclists and spectators was the primary aim for moving the event to the Seawall Bandstand as they seek to bring back the high level of fan support and involvement as experienced in the past.
“For too long, spectators have been deprived of high quality cycling and there’s no doubt in my mind that Guyana has the potential in terms of talented riders. We have been doing well in the Caribbean for a number of years; we just need the continued exposure and help from central government to push us further.”
The RBC Head joined the call for the relevant authorities to invest in a Cycling Veladrome which he stated is long overdue.
“Unless we can get a veladrome in this country we wouldn’t be going nowhere in the sport.”
Allen referred to the number of riders who have either died or were involved in serious road accidents whilst training, pointing out that just a few weeks ago, junior rider Raul Leal was hit by a mini bus while training and is still hospitalised.
Allen extended gratitude to NAMILCO on behalf of the club for showing a high degree of confidence in their ability to bring off a quality event. The first event will pedal off at 09:00hrs.
Following is the list of events and prizes on offer:

Event                                       Laps    Prizes
12-14 years/Juveniles              3          $5,000; $3,000; $2,000
Juniors/Category 4                  5          $6,000; $4,000; $3,000
Categories 1-3                         5          $6,000; $4,000; $3,000
Veterans Under-50                 5          $6,000; $4,000; $3,000
Veterans Over-50                    5          $6,000; $4,000; $3,000
Win & Out (Open)                  8          $8,000; $5,000; $3,000
Team Time Trials                     3          $10,000; $8,000; $6,000
Mountain Bikes (open)           5          $5,000; $3,000; $2,000
BMX 6-9 Years                      2          $3,000; $2,000; $1,500
BMX 10-14 Years                  2          $3,000; $2,000; $1,500
Females                                   5          $5,000; $3,000; $2,000
WHEAT UP CLASSIC         30        $30,000; $25,000; $15,000; $7,000; $6,000; $4,000
OPEN