By Emmerson Campbell
National rider Alonzo Greaves has underscored the importance of local cyclists getting opportunities to race against elite competitors overseas in order to raise their performance level for the London Olympics.
“We would have to go somewhere overseas like Trinidad and do a lot of racing that would be good for our fitness and performance in order for us to ride and compete at a high standard in London.”
Greaves yesterday was pointing the way forward during an interview with Stabroek Sport regarding his plans if he should become a wild card entrant for the London Olympic Games.
Greaves who has represented Guyana on numerous occasions worldwide noted that in order for him and other local wild card entrants to be competitive in London they will have to campaign overseas.
“To improve our level of performance, the kind of races we have here would not maximize our chances at London because the races here would not be like the races in London.
The tempo that would be in London will be very high, the pace in Guyana is normally up and down, in London it would be at 30 miles (per hour) and up all the time, then they will accelerate as the race goes on,” Greaves highlighted.
The national rider noted that if he or anyone else is selected for London, a high level of training will be needed but having the once in a lifetime opportunity of competing at an Olympic Games will definitely be worth the while.
Greaves said: “Well, first we have to be doing a lot of hours on our saddles, five to six hours a day, like three or four days a week probably more.
The road races in London would be in excess of a hundred miles so it will be tough but it will be well worth it, that is the Olympics.”
Greaves disclosed that he is currently spending a great deal of time on his saddle, at times riding for three to four hours, three times per week.
The 23-year-old who rode at the Caribbean versus the World Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the Caribbean Championships in Jamaica last year said that he will use overseas meets to try and win back the form he had last year.
The national rider says he has plans to compete at the Caribbean versus the World once more this year in the twin island republic and possibly will campaign over there a month before so he can compete in other races as well.
Greaves’ season will pedal off on January 28 at the National Park circuit when national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed stages the first event in his ‘Teach Them Young Programme’ for 2012.
