–  Allen pleased with performance of local cyclists

By Floyd Christie
Vice President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Brian Allen is pleased with the performance of the cycling team that represented Guyana at the just-concluded Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The cycling events for the 21st CAC Games were held on July 22 and 28 last. The cyclists competed in the time trials on July 22, but Allen is “particularly satisfied” with the results of the road race which was contested on July 28.

Allen, who is also president of Roraima Bikers Club, was contacted by Stabroek Sport via telephone yesterday.

He said that although he was “pleased” with everyone’s performance on the national three-member team, which included Alonzo Greaves, Geron Williams and United Kingdom-based Claire Fraser, the performance of Greaves stood out and was more to his satisfaction.

Greaves’ preparation on local soil prior to the CAC Games paid off substantially when he finished one second shy of a podium position as he was among the top finishers in the 88-mile road race which saw 81 starters.

Roraima Bikers Club cyclist, Greaves pedalled his way into the close knit lead pack to finish in 10th place with a time of three hours, 30 minutes and 52 seconds (3.30.52), one second behind the winner Honorio Machado of Venezuela.

Trinidad’s Emile Abraham finished second, while Luis Macias of Mexico came in third with the same time as the winner Machado.

Guyana’s other male representative Williams placed 25th with a time of three hours, 30 minutes and 58 seconds (3.30.58).

Greaves was technically the second Caribbean cyclist to complete the race but according to Allen, Greaves can be hailed as the first Caribbean-based rider to cross the finish line, pointing out that Abraham, although representing Trinidad, “lives, trains and rides for a team in the United States.

“When you look at his [Greaves] placing and take into consideration he came in one second behind the winner… I’m very pleased,” Allen exclaimed. He noted also that Greaves’ performance was creditable because second place finisher Abraham is regarded as the best in the Caribbean and Greaves finished “right up there with him.”

Disadvantage

Last month Allen had told Stabroek Sport that he felt Guyana’s three-member team was at a disadvantage heading into the CAC Games, because of the small team and he reiterated this yesterday.

Due to a lack of funding for the CAC cyclists, sending a larger contingent was not possible and Allen emphasized that if a larger team was present, like those of the top finishing six-member teams of Venezuela, Trinidad and Mexico, better results could have  been recorded.

With the CAC Games now concluded, Greaves and Williams have headed straight to the United States from Puerto Rico to undergo special training in New York, in preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Caribbean Elite Championships, Allen said.

Greaves will be returning to Guyana at month end.