Overall champion Michael Larsen is seated (fourth left) with Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and other government officials while other top finishers enjoy this photo op at the conclusion of the presentation for the 2011 Ride for Life five-stage cycle race
After covering a gruelling 266 miles across the coast of Guyana and a brief foray into the Hilly Sand and Clay Region, California-based team Exustar’s Michael Larsen won the fifth annual ‘Ride for Life’ five-stage race to pock et Gy$200,000 as the final stage ended yesterday on Homestretch Avenue.
Larsen, who placed in the top ten for all five stages, clocked an impressive 10h:20min: 39s to defeat several talented local and foreign riders.
Yesterday’s final stage from Kara Kara, Linden to Homestretch Avenue, was won by Guyanese Robin Persaud in 2h:45min:51s; while Larsen placed second, Rastaff Oselmo third, Surinamese Moses Rickets fourth, with Lear Nunes and Henner Rodel completing the top six finishers.
The first stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam was won by Guyana’s Godfrey Pollydore in a record time of 1:36:0.5.
Team Exustar’s Jonathan Teeter won Stage 2 from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue in a record time of 2:18:45 The 35-mile third stage from Wales to Parika was won by Linden- based Mark Lewis in a time of 58min: 58s.
Guyana’s Marlon Williams blitzed the field to capture the Essequibo Coast fourth stage in 2h: 35:01.
The top 10 finishers overall are: Michael Larsen (10:20:39), Jonathan Teeter (10:20:45), Jamal Eastmond (10:21:01), Robin Persaud (10: 21: 50), Godfrey Pollydore (10:22:38), Marlon Williams (10:23:47), Adam Carr (10:24:07), Leer Nunes (10:24: 35), Moses Rickets (10:26:07) and Henner Rodel (10:26: 40).
The top three juniors are Jamal Eastmond, Paul DeNobrega and Michael Anthony; while the top three veterans are Raymond Newtown, Junior Niles and Kennard Lovell.
The Ride for Life is a collaborative effort of the Ministries of Health and Sport and the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).
As was the case in previous years, the event is being held with the objectives of increasing awareness and knowledge of HIV/Aids among participants and the general public, and increasing HIV/Aids activism and volunteerism among the participants, inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against HIV/Aids.
Previous overall winners of the event were Alonzo Greaves (2007), Junior Niles (2008), Geron Williams (2009), and Antonio Quintero (2010).
Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony; Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy; Director of Sport, Neil Kumar; and Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry, Alfred King, were among officials at the presentation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.
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