By Lloyd Conway
Twelve Guyanese cyclists so far are listed to race in at least three categories on Father’s Day when Rockstar Games presents the 39th annual Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic at Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan, New York City.
In the category one will be national cyclist Geron Williams, who is now training and competing in the U.S., and U.S.-based cyclists Paul Cho-wee-nam, Scot Savory, and the three brothers Jermaine, Paul and Horace Burrowes, while in category two will be Gavin Robertson and Lynn Murray and in the Masters two-time Olympians Joelyn Joseph and Aubrey Gordon as well as Cecil Bernard and Johan Burrowes.
The event on Sunday is billed by the organizers as a community cycling festival which will feature an unparalleled display of speed, power and skill on the streets of Harlem, showcasing professional, amateur and child cyclists, besides great food and music.
The Guyanese riders will be cheered on by the large contingent of Guyanese fans and former cyclists from Guyana and the Caribbean who traditionally gather at this community festival.
Olympic prospect Williams, who represented Guyana at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, in 2010, will be among the Pros and category one cyclists, challenging some of the best criterium specialists around. He is at present staying and training with Gordon in Pennsylvania and has been recording some creditable performances.
Two weeks ago he placed 6th in the Bround Brook Classic in New Jersey and was unfortunate to clip a fire hydrant and develop some mechanical problems during the Tour of Somerville in New Jersey on Memorial Day while he was in a breakaway group of four riders.
And last Saturday he placed fourth in the Nutmeg Classic in Connecticut. With the upcoming Guyana nationals Williams seems to be rounding into good form at the right time, according to Victor Rutherford, co-ordinator of the Guyana Cycling Association of North America (GCANA).
Meanwhile, Masters standout rider Joseph who is from Retrieve, Linden, and a former Guyana two-time Olympian (1980 and 1984) is favoured to win the Harlem Skyscrapers Father’s Day Classic (Masters Cat) on Sunday.
Joseph who rides for Team We United is having a successful season and credits spending a couple of weeks back home on the Linden Highway for whipping himself into form. Two weeks ago he outsprinted a first-rate field in the Vets Cat to win the celebrated Tour of Somerville Classic.
However, on June 9 in New Britain, Connecticut at the Nutmeg Classic 15-mile event fellow Guyanese Gordon who rides for the New Jersey-based Liberty Cycle Club got the better of him. Gordon had finished behind him in the earlier Tour of Somerville.
Among those with creditable performances leading up to the Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic on Sunday are Murray of Team CRCA DAVE JORDAN who had finished third behind Robertson in Cat 2 at the recent Tour of Somerville.
Stabroek Sport understands that the Guyanese riders are all eyeing podium finishes with over US$25,000 to be shared among those in winner’s row.
Refreshment and snacks will be provided, compliments of the GCANA and their Secretary Gavin Lowman and Treasurer Monty Davis will be on hand to assist the Guyanese riders, according to Rutherford.
