Plans are on stream to restart the cycling season perhaps some time next month with Time Trial events.
This is according to Racing Secretary of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Malcolm Sonoram.
Sonoram pointed out that Time Trial competitions will be the perfect platform to restart cycling on the local circuit since it will kickstart the competitive juices of the riders while adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions which have begun to be relaxed.
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.
Sonoram revealed yesterday that he has already received temperature guns and masks which will aid in the safe return of cycling.
He also disclosed out that during the last few weeks internationally, there have been constant communication between riders, teams, organisers as well as other relevant parties all with the support of the governing body, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). UCI is responsible for arranging a new global cycling schedule, in which the biggest spectacle, the Tour de France takes pride of place.
The Tour de France which attracts the creme de la creme of the world’s riders, was postponed from June 27-July 19 and is now scheduled for August 29 to September 20.
As the COVID-19 restrictions become more relaxed, the GCF Racing Secretary also revealed that he will be pushing to have as much races in the National Park “to keep the sport alive.”
Sonoram concluded by appealing to cyclists to continue to take every precaution before, during and after training as a means of keeping the novel virus at wheel’s length. To date, no local cyclists have tested positive for COVID-19.
