– Rides away with Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness trophy
He was out of competition for close to a month, but that was not deterrence as Raynauth Jeffrey reminded his adversaries of how fierce a competitor he is on the country’s roadways.
With a strategic move, the East Coast Demerara riding sensation powered to victory in the Senior category of the second annual Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness 78-mile road race from Linden to Georgetown on Sunday, easily carting off Gy$250,000 and the Digicel trophy in the process.
The race attracted 70 starters and the Senior and Junior riders started at David Rose Avenue in Linden, with Jeffrey being the pacesetter in the early stages. As the race progressed however, the lead changed hands with the possibility of an exciting finish imminent.
When the riders entered Georgetown, they were required to complete two laps around the outer circuit of the National Park and the first pack to arrive included Jeffrey, the in-form Alanzo Greaves, Albert Philander and seasoned campaigner Godfrey Pollydore.
A chasing pack connected with the leaders at the bell to signal the final lap, and just when it seemed that a heated sprint finish was in the making, Jeffrey, riding under Team Coco (Guyana), made the decisive move.
Cognisant of the amount of sprinters in the pack, Jeffrey pulled away from peloton as the race turned at Camp Street and Carifesta Avenue, just outside the YMCA building, and never relinquished the lead, powering to victory all alone. It was much to the amazement of the spectators who had gathered to witness the highly anticipated finish.
When race officials stopped the clock on Carifesta Avenue, Jeffrey had timed three hours, three minutes, 05.31 seconds (03h: 03m: 05.31s). It was yet another convincing victory for the talented rider, who has gained the unofficial title of “beast of the roadway”, as he captured the biggest cash prize in the history of local cycling.
“I know there were a lot of sprinters in the pack, so I know I had to make a move early. I did and it paid off,” Jeffrey said afterwards.
He added, “I was out [of competitive racing] for a while, but after yesterday [Saturday] race at the National Park, I know I would do well today [Sunday]. I wasn’t feeling well yesterday [Saturday] and still finished third so I was very confident that I was in top shape for this race.”
Pollydore finished a distant second after a close sprint with Greaves, who occupied third spot, while Linden’s Orville Hinds, Geron Williams and Albert Philander rounded off the top six finishers in that order.
Jeffrey’s Team Coco mates, Michael Anthony and Junior Niles, capped an excellent day for the four-man unit, winning the Junior and Veteran races respectively.
Anthony copped Gy$60,000 ahead of Hamzah Eastman and Alonzo Ambrose in second and third respectively, while Niles carted off the Gy$50,000 first prize, leaving Ian Jackson to settle for second and Ralph Williams, third.
Linden’s Hazina Barrett was the leading female rider, beating Naomi Singh to the line for the Gy$50,000 first prize. The Veteran and Female riders started outside the Splashmin’s Fun Park on the Soesdyke/Linden highway.
At the presentation ceremony which followed, Chief Executive Officer of Digicel (Guyana), Gregory Dean, expressed his company’s commitment to the fight against breast cancer, adding that Digicel will continue to sponsor the race and work to make it better every year.
The race, which was a collaborative effort of Digicel (Guyana), the Guyana Cycling Federation and the Roraima Bikers Club, was designed to heighten awareness of breast cancer, a disease that has been plaguing women across the globe. It was held in October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Apart from handsomely rewarding the top riders on Sunday, Digicel (Guyana) also distributed branded jerseys, water bottles and bags to spectators who turned out to witness the race.
Additionally, the company also delivered on its promise to match the sum donated by cyclists as a contribution to the Guyana Cancer Society. The cyclists were able to raise Gy$35,000 and Digicel matched that amount.
Staff members of the Digicel were also able to raise Gy$80,000, which will be given to the Guyana Cancer Society to aid in the fight against breast cancer.
