When the calendar flips to May, the nation’s best cyclists as well as foreign riders gear up to compete in one of Guyana’s premier cycling events, the annual three-stage road race which will pedal off on Saturday.
This season’s most successful cyclist, Alonzo Greaves is one of those riders; however the national cyclist is not just preparing to compete in the road race, he is gearing up to dominate it.
“My mind is set, my body is set I have been training and winning and I’m ready to win the three-stage again,” said the 24-year-old national cyclist who won the grueling event in 2009.
“This year I have more time to train and rest as well as my nutrition is better. Last year I had to get a lot of stuff done outside of cycling but this year I have a lot more time to focus on the sport and the results are gratifying so I am confident of winning,” Greaves added.
Greaves has already won eight premier events for the season.
The Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) product also stated that his club will be riding as a team and mentioned that his success this season has made him a marked man.
He, however said that he will use the foreign riders to his advantage.
“The past couple of races our club has been riding as a team. The team is Alex Mendes, Warren ‘40’ McKay, Mario King and Raymond Newton but I know I will be marked because when you start winning the other competitors start to look at you and prevent you from winning but overseas guys are coming so I will use that as my advantage because all eyes will be focused on them.”
National Cycling Coach, Hassan Mohamed told this publication that he expects riders from Trinidad, Suriname, the USA and Anguilla to compete in the two-day event.
The three-stage race, which will cover a distance of 171.5 miles (274.3km), is expected to attract the crème de la crème of local riders from all the clubs in Guyana as well as overseas riders who will use the event as a warm-up for other races abroad.
The first stage will commence at 7:30hrs at the Corriverton Police Station and will finish at New Amsterdam. (46.6 Miles) (75km).
The second stage starts the same day at 14:00hrs from Rosignol and will proceed to Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown for the finish. (60.4 Miles) (97.1km).
The final stage of the event will start on Sunday at 08:00hrs in Kara Kara, Linden and will conclude at Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown. (64.5 Miles) (103.3km).
Cyclists are required to register with their respective clubs or team managers for submission not later than tomorrow during normal working hours at the National Sports Commission Office, 91 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg.
Transportation will leave the National Sports Commission Office on Friday 12:00hrs with cyclists and officials for Springlands, East Berbice.
