– Geron Williams says he was advised not to speak with media
The three-member cycling team that will represent Guyana at the 19th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India from October 3-14, along with the team manager, are upbeat as they depart today Guyana for New Delhi.
The cyclists, along with representatives of other sporting disciplines participating in the Games left for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport from Olympic House at 02:30hrs this morning for their scheduled 06:20hrs departure.
Cyclists Marlon Williams, Alonzo Greaves and Geron Williams, along with team manager and treasurer of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) William Howard, are scheduled to arrive in New Delhi, India on October 3.
Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Greaves, speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday, expressed confidence in relation to what they expect to deliver when they compete in the cycling events at the Games on October 5, 10 and 13.
Marlon Williams said that he had been training rigorously in preparation for his participation in the time trials and road races at the Games. “I’ve been putting in a lot of miles in preparation for the road races and I’ve also been doing motor pacing at around 60 to 70 kilometres to bring my speed up for the time trials,” he said.
Though he is looking to deliver in the time trials, he was not so positive about his chances in the road race but assured he will do his best.
“I’m looking for a good timing in the time trials, but the cyclists start the road race based on your country’s ranking and we are ranked in the hundreds… so it will be tough,” he stated.
“The big teams in the front start hard at like 60 kilometres an hour… it will be hard to catch up,” he added. Greaves was much more optimistic in relation to the road race. “I have good expectations for the road race. I think there’s a 0-50 chance I can win the road race… I will try my best and put my best foot forward,” he declared. Greaves will not be participating in the time trials but is scheduled to compete in the track races. In relation to the track races he said he will “do fairly well”.
In a surprising turn of events, the third cyclist, Geron Williams, told Stabroek Sport that he was advised by the Guyana Olympic Association and his manager not to speak with the media.
Team manager Howard disclosed that after arriving in New Delhi, the team will be focusing on “recuperating, adjusting to the climate and viewing the courses,” on which they’ll be competing apart from taking part in the welcoming and opening ceremony.
“I expect them to put out their best performance and we will accept the results from that… I expect them to deliver a good performance for themselves and the country,” Howard said.
