Williams starts season on winning note
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
February 2, 2004
Marlon `Fishy' Williams receives the winning trophy from Ricks and Sari's Finance Manager Shazir.
Roraima Bikers cyclist Marlon `Fishy' Williams opened the 2004 cycle season on a winning note, by capturing top honours in the Ricks and Sari Group of Companies sponsored feature 35-lap event on Saturday in the National Park.
Williams, who returned one hour 24 minutes 72.17 seconds in winning the event, also captured one of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs.
Tony Simon, who rode like a seasoned campaigner, placed second and took one prime prize while Samuel Barker placed third.
Marlon Morrison, Leer Nunes and Gordon Kennedy finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Morrison and Kennedy took one prime each while Warren McKay copped three and Alian Smart one.
Williams made his intention known from the very first lap when he went out ahead of the field. He was however sucked in by the other 27 riders.
Several times during the race, Williams launched attacks but was always caught by the pack. However, with eight laps remaining, Williams and Simon sailed out and none of the others responded, allowing the two riders to open a huge lead.
With three laps to go for the finish, Williams moved away from Simon and won with 50 metres in hand.
The sprint for the minor positions started at the 500-metre mark when Morrison attacked. Morrison led until the turn into the home stretch when Barker sailed on the outside and passed him 25 metres from the finish line.
In other results, Alonzo Greaves captured the 10-lap event for juveniles from Travis Cipriani and Shane Boodram respectively.
The five-lap event for veterans over-45 years was won by Compton Persaud.
Beresford Bookie was second and Patrick Santos third. In the under-45 age group over the same distance, Linden Blackman crossed the finish line ahead of Virgil Jones and Clement Douglas respectively.
The three-lap race for boys 12-14 (racing cycles) was won by Chris Persaud. Alican Blackman, who, despite being a female, also participated in the event and placed second while Geron Williams finished third.
The five-lap race for upright cyclists was won by David Davidson. Second was Linden Burrowes and third Bochel Samaroo.
Jason Pollydore captured the two-lap event for BMX boys 6-9 years of age. Second was Mario Providence.
The one-lap event for BMX girls 6-12 years old was won by Usha Jai Singh. Sherri-Ann DeAbreu and Ashley Alli placed second and third respectively.
Romario Bhagwandin who won 15 of seventeen races in the BMX boys 9-12 years age group last year, recorded yet another victory on Saturday over three laps. Second was Jonathan Fagundes.
The three-lap event for BMX boys and girls was won by Engo Matthews. Second was Rodrick Thomas.
The presentation of prizes to the respective winners were done by Terrence Clarke and Ricks and Sari's Finance Manager Mr. A. Shazir.