Bentley carts off NSC 36-mile feature race
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
September 9, 2002
Jude Bentley out-sprinted a fast finishing bunch to capture the National Sports Commission's (NSC) feature 35-lap cycle race yesterday in the National Park. The day's activity marked the end of the Commission's eight-week training camp.
Bentley who returned one hour, 24 minutes 17.06 seconds for the 36-mile event, also won two of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs.
Director of Sports Neil Kumar, prior to assisting with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners, called for unity among cycle administrators. Kumar also promised that a cycle track will become a reality.
"A lot of us are calling for a cycle track. I am one of those persons who say we need a track. I'm saying we will have one soon, but we need an aggressive cycling federation and we need unity in the cycling federation" Kumar declared.
Kumar thanked the parents for the support they gave to their children who attended the NSC's eight-week `Teach them Young' cycle training camp, which was conducted by Hassan Mohammed.
Guyana Cycle Federation president Ernest Seibs who was also present, congratulated the participants, and used the opportunity to thank those cyclists and officials who were a part of the Barry Massay Memorial Games. Seibs also distributed the prizes won at the Barry Massay Games.
Vinesh Narine who placed second, won one prime prize. Lloyd Chichester was third, while Gerald Fowler finished fourth and won two primes. The other prime was won by Marlon Morrison who placed fifth.
Christopher Gonsalves who is on a come back trail, settled for sixth position.
Continental cyclist Warren McKay who was in contention for most of the race, rode into the gate separating the rugby field from the car park and fractured his shoulder. This happened with three laps remaining, while he (McKay) was in the leading bunch of six.
From the start of the event which attracted 24 pedal pushers, Chichester, Bentley, Fowler and Sean Alves shared the lead from time to time, while the chasing pack remained in firing distance.
After 15 laps were completed, only 13 cyclists remained in contention. At this point, Nunes attacked the pack and Narine picked him up.
The two opened a 75-metre lead on the others, but during the 16th lap, Alves connected to the two leaders and countered attack. He immediately opened a 30-metre lead.
By the 18th lap, all 13 cyclists were together once again, and three laps later, Fowler, Alves and Warren McKay went out and opened a 80-metre lead on the others.
With 12 laps to go, there were only nine contestants and this number reduced to six with five laps remaining. They stayed together for the remainder of the race.
It was at the 350-metre mark that Gonsalves launched an attack, but the other five responded. Bentley then moved to the outside and sailed past the others to win by four lengths from Narine.
In other results, Darren Alleyne rode a well judged race to win the boys 12-14 three-lap event. Second was Shane Boodram, while Albert Philander placed third.
The boys BMX 12-14 years old three lapper was won by Ron Santos. Second was Javid Mohamed and third Richard Rohoman.
Jorge Emmerson won the juveniles 10-lap race from fellow Lindener, Marlon Williams and Christopher Cush respectively.
The veterans over-35 years 5-lap race was won by Linden Blackman. Second was Deon `Sno Cone' David and third Keith DeAbreu.
Monty Parris won the veterans over-50 five-lap event from Aubrey Greavesande and Omar McDougal respectively, while Roopesh Boodram won the three-lap upright event.
Troy Davilar came out on top in the three-lap mountain bike race. Second was Sherwin Logan while Alango Greaves placed third.
The BMX boys 6-9 years old two-lap race was won by Jonathan Fagundes. Second was Romario Bhagwandin and third, Shazad Ahamad.
Christopher McIntosh continued his reign of the BMX boys 9-12 years three-lap race. Geron Williams placed second and Chris Persaud third.
Ashley Lall won the BMX girls 6-12 years old one lap race from Sherry-Ann DeAbreu.