USA-based Guyanese and We Stand United Cycle Club (WSUCC) rider, James `Jolyon’ Joseph captured respective gold and silver medals at the 2021 USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships held at the Valley Preferred Cycling Centre, Breinigsville, PA on Thursday.
Competing in the 60-64 age group, Joseph captured gold in the men’s sprint final – 2 laps and was narrowly edged out in the men’s 500m time trial final.
Joseph is the reigning International Cycling Union (UCI), 200m Flying Start World Record holder (11.42 seconds) set at the 2017 World Masters Championships in California.
Joseph who finished ninth overall in Match Sprint at the 1980 Summer Olympics and competed in Match Sprint at the 1984 Summer Olympics, defeated Jim Alvord in the sprint final but had to settle for the silver in the 500m time trial Final to Russell Murphy. Bronze medals went to Ed Kissee, Edwin Slaughter and Dave Geissert; a total of 14 riders contested this event.
The experienced cyclist, who recently returned to the USA after coming to Guyana to bury his mother, said that he felt good about the results, noting that it was not easy as he had to also deal with his mom’s passing and subsequent burial.
“I feel good with my performance even though I had to break training and come to Guyana to lay my mother to rest. It was a very hard ordeal but its life and I had to come to do it. I am pleased and happy that I can compete nationally again after all the Covid-19 setbacks. These national track championships in America have strict and stringent guidelines, you have to take the Covid test 72 hours before you compete and if you do not take the test, you cannot compete.”
President, executive and members of the WSUCC extended congratulations to the indefatigable Joseph for his performances at the 2021 USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships highlighting that he [Joseph] continues to be an inspiration to the young cyclists.
The track cycling and match sprint specialist said that he has intentions of working along with WSUCC to initiate a way of passing on his knowledge to other Guyanese cyclists. More details on this will follow subsequently.
