Jadian Neaves captured the main race at the inaugural Raiders Cycling Criterium Classic held around Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair on May 31.
Neaves won the curtain-closing “40 minutes plus” event ahead of Colombian Mateo Garcia. The host club duo finished well in front of Barbadian Phillip Clarke (Heatwave) and top local Tariq Woods (Evolution).
Neaves and Garcia broke away from the chasing peloton early in the race and shared the lead in the race, which featured primes (sprint laps) where the spectators contributed money towards the winners and had the honour of ringing their own bells, provided by the organisers, to cheer the cyclists as they rode by. The win was the second for the day for Neaves, who took the Elite Sprint discipline ahead of Syndell Samarroo (Valkyries) and Rigtech Sonics’ Zion Pulido.
Teammate Adam Alexander denied Neaves a third title on the day, winning the Unknown Lap race with Neaves in the runner-up spot and Clarke in third.
Cheynne Awai (Heatwave) pedalled away the Ladies Elite two laps ride with Christa Marie Julien (Madonna Wheelers) in second. Melina Lopez (Valkyries) secured the Tinymite Ladies event, while Kylee Young (Madonna Wheelers) was the top juvenile woman.
In the Youth Development category Madonna Wheelers won the lion’s share of the winnings, with Lashay Nimblett leading a sweep of the top three placings in the Girls U-11 race. Her training partners Ashee Soon-Hon and Jael Francis followed her home.
Leah Mitchell (Girls U-9) and Annelyse Watson (Girls U-13) were also winners for the club. In the Unregistered Youth Developers field, there was more success for Madonna Wheelers as Luke Ramatali (Boys U-11) and Caleb Ramatali (Boys U-13) topped their classes.
Among the masters, Cyril Fook (70+), Dirk Tidd (60+), Edmund Moy (50+), and Guyana’s Quincy Ridley (40+) were the winners.
The day’s activities kicked off with the Duathlon (run, ride and run) with Charlotte Scott (Girls 11-12), Marcus Singh (Boys 11-12), Tyrese Toppin (Boys 13-15) and Rainbow Cup Sprint Triathlon 2024 champion Liam D’Abadie (Boys 16-19) triumphant.
D’Abadie went to retain the Rainbow Cup title one week later (June 7).
The riders all participated in a one-lap run-ride to commemorate World Cycling Day.
Manager of Raiders Cycle Club Elizath “Betty” Alexander said observing the day is crucial to highlight the significance of cycling. “World Cycling Day is very important, not only for cyclists who compete but for everyone who can ride a bike. The day brings some awareness also to the use of a bicycle. It can be used for transportation, for health reasons and for sports.” Alexander is calling on other road users to give more respect to cyclists. “I do not think we place enough emphasis on cycling and riders because some motorists do not understand we have to share the road, as we all have to use it. Our very own Nicholas Paul had to use the road, Adam Alexander and Gene Samuel too. Cyclists use the road to train, and we have to bring that awareness too.”
Close to 80 riders from Guyana, Barbados and St Kitts Nevis joined local participants in the event.
