Fresh off a 20-race, seven-week stint in the USA, star cyclist Alanzo Greaves has returned to Guyana all geared up for the Commonwealth Games later this month.
Greaves who returned from the US circuit on Wednesday is ready for Glasgow, Scotland. He cannot wait in fact, particularly after his previous Commonwealth Games experience in India four years ago.
“The Games in India was my first big race ever and I had a lot of butterflies and about 10 miles to the finish I was cramping and I could not complete it. It was also the first time I rode a 100-mile race and I was not adequately prepared for that.”
The 24-year-old is more seasoned and is ready for the challenge.
“This year I know I will do much, much better because I have the mileage in my legs, my training has been going really well and I feel I am ready for it and when I go over in Scotland I will be ready this time around.”
Last week, Greaves also told Stabroek Sport about his training and competing further north, as part of his preparations for the Games.
“Over there (USA), I rode about 20 races, I had a first place, and about six times I finished in the top 10, about eight times in the top 15 and the rest in the top 20s.
“Right now my fitness level is good and I think I am ready for the Games.
From when I left Guyana to now I feel much better on the bike.”
Greaves added “We have a few more days to go before we go to the Commonwealth and I’m feeling great.”
The national rider who has represented Guyana on numerous occasions, also spoke briefly about US-based team that recruited him.
“Team Mengoni is six of us, I am the sprinter of the team. I rode with them for the Maryland tour and the team work was exceptional I can’t complain.
While with them it was the first time I rode for 11 days straight, the experience for the 11-day race was good and out of 11 days I spaced in the seven of them so the experience did really well for me.”
The Commonwealth Games will be held from July 23- August 3. National road race champion, Geron Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Marlon Williams, Scott Savory and UK based, Clair Fraser-Green are the other cyclists who will represent Guyana.