Rawlins in road cycling fray

Rawlins finished eighth overall at the Scratch Men’s finals which was a gruelling 10-kilometre ride.

His first attempt at the Kerin ended prematurely when he crashed and was unable to complete the race on June 20.

However he made amends in the Kerin event that followed with a performance that earned him a surprising placing.

The race was won by Julian Arreondo of Columbia while Venezuela’s Jaikel Manzano claimed the runner-up spot. Emeliano Fernandez of Argentina finished third while his countryman Leonel Castro secured fourth.

The fifth and sixth positions were taken by Mexicans Caesar Zaquera and Luis Vasquez respectively, and Cuba’s Norlan Sunes was seventh.

Rawlins who was voted the most outstanding cyclist in the recent Beacon-sponsored West Indies versus the World Cycling Series across Trinidad and Tobago in April finished eighth.

During the West Indies versus the World Series Rawlins was the lone junior cyclist competing against the seniors.

He will be a top contender in tomorrows National Road Race which starts and finishes at Screamers Club in La Romain.

The route will proceed through the M2 Ring Road and back to the Screamers Car Park for the finish.

The ride will be a 100-mile grind and a number of challengers will be bidding to dethrone defending champion Stephen Mangroo.

Tobago-born Emile Abraham is also favoured for top honours which will also feature a number of local and international cyclists.

Among them the talented Marc Codrington, Colin Wilson and Elijah Greene.

The race begins at 7 am. Recently Greene and a number of local cyclists gave an impressive performance at an international meet in Colombia and will be hoping to repeat this weekend.