Hamilton steals spotlight at Allicock Memorial Meet
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
March 31, 2003
Roraima Bikers’ Tyrone Hamilton stole the spotlight on Saturday when Continental Cycle Club staged the Richard Allicock Memorial Criterium Meet around the inner circuit of the National Park.
Hamilton, who contested three events for a category one and two four-lap affair as well as a `Devil take the Hindmost’, won the four lapper and placed second in the `Devil’. He then came back later and capped off the day’s activity with a win in the feature 25-lap event that was open to all categories.
The day’s programme attracted three overseas-based Guyanese - Aubrey Gordon, Cecil `Dallas’ Bernard and Anthony Fariah - from all of whom much was expected. The trio however failed to impress.
Stabroek Sport learnt that both Gordon and Bernard arrived in Guyana on Friday and had not been able to adjust, having come from New York where the weather was very cold.
Other outstanding performances came from Romarion Bhagwandin and Geron Williams who both won two races each in the BMX boys 6-9 and 9-12 years age group respectively as well as Linden Blackman and Walter `Buck Man’ Issacs who each won two events in veterans under and over 45 years of age respectively.
In the four-lap event for categories one and two wheelers, Hamilton, who was mid-way during the first lap, took up a position at the head of affairs from the second lap. He was joined by Warren McKay during the lap.
On receiving the bell for the final lap, Reece joined the two and the trio opened a 75-metre lead on the field which included Dwayne Gibbs, Raymond Newton, Paul Cho-Wee-Nam and Jude Bentley among others.
As the trio approached the 200-metre mark, Hamilton jumped the others, McKay responded and Reece followed suit, but Hamilton held off the challenge. McKay settled for second and Reece third.
In the `Devil’ for seniors which attracted 33 starters, the pace was so intense that some competitors quitted before being called out.
When the bunch was whittled down to six, Gerald Fowler attacked and no one responded. This allowed him to open a sizeable lead and he went on to win quite comfortably.
The sprint for the minor positions started at the 150-metre mark by Hamilton. Gibbs and Jude Bentley responded a bit too late and this allowed Hamilton to place second. Bentley edged Gibbs for third.
The feature event which was reduced from 35 laps to 25, attracted 40 starters.
Newton who led for the first three laps, was joined by Hamilton and Seon Alves during the fifth, and subsequently came off the pace, allowing Hamilton and Alves to enjoy the lead.
The two were however joined by Leer Nunes, Bentley and Andrew Reece during the sixth lap and the five went on to open a huge lead which resulted in them lapping most of the other contenders who subsequently dropped out.
As the five crossed the `high’ bridge inside the park, which is approximately 500 metres from the finish line, Alves started the sprint and as they turned for the home stretch, Hamilton sailed by on the outside crossing the line one length ahead of Reece and Nunes respectively.
In other results; Marlon Williams won the juniors four-lap event from Jorge Emmerson and Kelon Charles respectively, but had to settle for second behind Emmerson in the `Devil’ for juniors and juveniles. Olongo Greaves was third.
The four-lap event for category three & four riders was won by Gordon Kennedy. Second was Robin Persaud and third Ian Jackson.
Orlando Greaves won the juveniles four-lap race from Daren Allen, and Travis Cipriani respectively, while Blackman won the veteran U-45 four lap affair from Vaughn Phillips and Virgil Jones respectively. He (Blackman) also won a three-lap event from Johnny Creavalle and Virgil Jones.
Issacs won both his four and three-lap events from Compton Persaud and Monty Parris respectively, while Bhagwandin won a one lap race from Joel Outridge and Brandon Baker and another from Outridge and Mario Providence. Geron Williams on the other hand won his two events from Chris Persaud and Scott Savory, and Persaud and Jonathan Fagundes.
The boys 12-14 two-lap event was won by Judah Klass. Second was Royston Anderson and third Ron Santos. Anderson however turned the tables on Klass in another event over the same distance, while Santos again placed third.
The BMX girls 6-12 one lap affair was won by Ashley Lall. Second was Sherri Ann DeAbreu and third Chrystal Blackman.
John Hamilton won the three-lap event for upright riders. second was Roopesh Beechan and third Harry Lall.
