By Emmerson Campbell
The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) and the organizers of the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships which was staged two weeks ago in the Dominican Republic are yet to iron out an issue involving junior star rider Raul Leal.
Leal was controversially relegated to fourth place after he finished second in the juvenile category of the 50km road race which was won by Linden’s Michael Anthony in record time.
The 15-year old Leal should have been awarded the silver medal to give Guyana a one-two finish in the event but was relegated to fourth place after a protest by a rival rider from Puerto Rico was upheld.
The Puerto Rican had argued that the measurement of Leal’s cycle was more than what was stipulated for juniors. However, this was disputed by Wayne DeAbreau, manager of the four-member team of Paul DeNobrega, Raynauth Jeffrey, Leal and Anthony.
According to DeAbreau, Leal’s cycle had passed the preliminary inspections prior to the race and during the course of the event no wheels were changed or no modifications were made to the cycle.
At the completion of the event, however, Leal’s cycle was inspected again after the Puerto Rican staged a protest which was subsequently upheld and which resulted in Leal being relegated to fourth place.
DeAbreau mentioned that other English speaking nations such as Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados were also upset at Leal’s unfair treatment but said the language barrier proved to be the deciding factor in Leal settling off the podium at that point in time.
Former president of the GCF, Hector Edwards, in an invited comment on Friday stated that the championships were totally flawed.
“Juniors at these championships are restricted in terms of their gear ratio. Leal had the required sprocket and chain ring, and they were checked and accepted but when they did a recheck, it was slightly off,” Edwards told this newspaper.
He added:“You don’t relegate, you disqualify completely. This championship was flawed. In the sprint home he clearly got second and so he should have the silver medal, if I had my way I would take it all the way up to the International Cycling Union (UCI) to correct this injustice.”
President of the GCF, Cheryl Thompson in an invited comment yesterday mentioned that she has been in talks with the organizers but so far nothing has changed but is optimistic of Leal rightfully receiving his accolade.
At the Championships, DeNobrega took the top honours in the 80km event by conquering about 100 riders from 18 other countries in a record time of two hours, four minutes and a second. Jeffrey placed third in the same event.
