Cyclists competing for the prestigious titles of National Time Trial and Road Race Champion will take centre stage this weekend.
The time trials which starts at 09:30hrs today will serve as the official kick-off to the annual Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), National Cycling Championships.
The Time Trial for all divisions will be held today. The solo trek will take the riders from the starting point of Hairuni to Long Creek and back. The estimated time trial is eight miles.
Time trials are commonly referred to as the ‘race of truth’ as they require considerable mental concentration and toughness as well as the ability to tolerate intense physical discomfort.
Cyclists compete individually and against only one competitor — the timing clock.
Every split seconds counts. Riders’ aerodynamics matched with their physical skills adds up to a simple equation. The fastest man on a bike on any given day wins. Tomorrow from 08:00hrs, the juniors and veterans will compete in the 70-mile road race from Homestretch Avenue to Camp Weslyan on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and back. The female and juvenile riders will compete in a 53-mile race which also starts on Homestretch Avenue but turns back at Timehri’s bottleneck and finishes at the point of origin.
One week later, the senior riders will take centre stage in a historic and grueling 103-mile race from Homestretch Avenue to Camp Soweyo and back.
Geron Williams, the 2014 and 2016 National Road Race champion, is currently plying his trade on the US circuit but he is expected to defend his title on race day. Williams is expected to be challenged by standout cyclists: Shaquel Agard, Paul DeNobrega, Andrew Hicks, Raynauth Jeffrey, Hamza Eastman, Jamal John, Romello Crawford and Alonzo Ambrose. (Emmerson Campbell)
