Second Annual Digicel Cancer Awareness Cycle Road Race GCF’s Thompson anticipates a more competitive race

Oct 19, 2013 Sports

The word out is that all the affiliated clubs of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) are strategizing to ensure that their riders come out victors of the Second annual Digicel Cancer Awareness Cycle Road Race set for Sunday October 27, 2013.
This year’s contest will take on a more competitive format, pedaling off in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden and concluding on Carifesta Avenue as opposed to last year’s route which was around the outer circuit of the National Park.
GCF President Cheryl Thompson is very excited about this year’s race and is complimenting Digicel for maintaining their sponsorship of the event which is jointly organised by the federation and Roraima Bikers Club (RBC).
While just in its second year, this race has already taken on the status of being one of the most anticipated and while one might say that it is due to the fact that the prize monies are the largest in the country, the cause in itself is significant; reasoned Thompson in an invited comment.
“This is the second year since the Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness race and I would like to say that it has been placed on the Programme of events for the Guyana Cycling Federation. The event came on board as one of our feature events not only for the message that it brought to the cyclists, officials and spectators but also the very lucrative prizes involved.”

Cheryl Thompson

Cycling no doubt has been coming on in Guyana and is one of the sports that has been very active, activities are held for most weeks in the month and one can safely say that it is the leader in terms of events being held in every County (Demerara, Berbice, Essequibo).
A young cadre of riders has been putting their hands up to the extent that they have been defeating their seasoned counterparts which augur well for the development of the sport.
Guyana has been very competitive at the junior level at the Caribbean level in the past few years and has totally dominated at the Inter Guiana Games level.
Thompson, who has openly lauded the young riders and the few females that have been consistently competing, says she is looking forward to a much more competitive Digicel race this time around.
“This year we all are looking forward to greater competitiveness, because cycling for me has grown. They are a number of juniors who have moved a step further, they are now elite riders and those still remaining in the junior ranks are now making it difficult for the seniors to dominate the top positions at any event, despite the distance they are required to cover.”
“I am very pleased to see my women folk participating also at all the events, and am also delighted to witness, a female cyclist on many occasions completing the course before her male counterparts.”
President Thompson also took the opportunity to zoom in on the issue of Breast Cancer Awareness which she says is very important and all should support the effort to raise Awareness with a view towards reducing the stigma associated with Breast Cancer through education on symptoms and treatment.
“We the women of the Guyana Cycling Federation will work with all organisations and supporters with the hope that greater knowledge will lead to earlier detection of Breast Cancer, which is associated with higher long-term survival rates, and that money raised for breast cancer will produce a reliable, permanent cure.”
Digicel was applauded by Thompson for taking a lead role in further assisting in the awareness drive despite a number of Charitable Organisations are involved in Awareness Programmes and support.
“I want to commend Digicel again for stepping up and taking the lead in terms of linking sports with sensitizing persons across Guyana about Breast Cancer. I am happy that they choose cycling to push this message and we will lend all the necessary support to ensure that it is successful. I would also like to commend Roraima Bikers Club for the role they have played in this partnership also.”
Over One Million dollars in cash prizes apart from other incentives will be up for grabs in the race. The winner of the senior category will win $240,000 and a beautiful trophy. The top performers in the junior, veteran and female categories will also be rewarded handsomely.
Last year’s race attracted close to 100 competitors and the organisers are aiming to beat better that number this time around. Each cyclist will be asked to contribute at least $500, whatever is raised, Digicel has promised to match that amount and will donate same to the Guyana Cancer Society. (Franklin Wilson)