As the top cyclists in the Region gear up to compete at the annual Caribbean Cycling Championships in two weeks’ time, Guyana’s riders will have to look forward to the event next year due to unpreparedness.
This is according to President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Linden Dowdridge.
Dowdridge opined that the lack of preparation and the postponement of the event on two occasions were the main reasons why the local wheelsmen will not compete at the August 12-15 fixture in the Dominican Republic.
However, third vice-president of the GCF, Enzo Matthews, revealed that it is in fact the unpreparedness of the cash strapped federation rather than the riders which has put a wrench in the wheel of the sojourn.
“I believe that the cyclists should have been given an opportunity to represent Guyana, whether funds are available or not, the option should be put forward to them to say no or yes.”
Matthews added, “The entire Caribbean was faced with the postponement, so Guyana was not unique to that. All I am saying is, regardless of the position of the federation, the same should not be for the cyclists because the federation does not have the money to pay for them to go anywhere so why make that decision for them to not go?”
Matthews disclosed that the cyclists who are funded and supported by their respective clubs are indeed active and were preparing to compete at the three-day event.
“These cyclists are active, Raynauth Jeffrey is the National Champion for Time Trials, he has been racing on the US circuit the entire year, Jamual John is also there, so is Briton John and the National road race champion, Romello Crawford. These guys are competing for their clubs and winning races in the States (US) so why not let them compete for Guyana? ” Matthews questioned.
The inform Paul DeNobrega, who has won the last two races on the local circuit, said he was disappointed to learn that Guyana would not be sending a team to the event since himself along with his Coach, Canada based Wayne Henry, and other potential riders on the team have been competing and training with representing Guyana in mind.
“I am quite disappointed,” said the national rider who has represented Guyana on numerous occasions.
“I was training for the longest while and I think I speak for all the rest of the riders when I say we are disappointed,” he added.
“This is an event we look forward to every year and those guys in the states are in pretty good form since they have been racing almost every week so I know they will be upset also,” he continued.
Matthews highlighted that the Caribbean Championships can open many doors for the riders.
“If a local rider gets a top 10 finish, they would then qualify to go to World Cup in Cali, Colombia in November and also get UCI points. All of these things enable them to go further to better themselves as athletes and not giving them the option robs them of that.”
He continued, “Cycling is already expensive as is and the cyclists’ parents, clubs and well wishers are the ones who are guiding and supporting them. The Guyana Cycling Federation is not behind them 100%, there is too much of infighting in the federation itself and there is not a proactive approach.”
Matthews, who pointed out that he is often kept in the dark, stated that no meetings were held for the month of July and called for the resignation of persons who are lazy and incompetent.
“Me being the third vice president of the federation, I am being kept out of meetings and emails so I really don’t know what is really going on. I had spoken to Mr. Dowdridge about the championships a week after it was announced and I am still yet to get a response. If persons don’t have the best interest of the cyclists at heart, I think they should just resign,” Matthews opined.
