At the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) yesterday, Dr. Frank Anthony urged the cyclists competing in this year’s National Sports Commission-organized 27th Annual Independence three-stage cycle road race to better the time set by defending champion Godfrey Pollydore and Dwayne Gibbs in 1998.
“In order for an event to become memorable, a mark must be left. In 1998, Pollydore and Gibbs left their mark on this event, recording a time of 6hrs. 23m: 26s. I urge you the cyclists who will be competing in this year’s race to go out there and better that time, thus leaving your mark on the event.”
He continued in his brief send-off speech, “You have better roads to compete on this year and conditions are in your favour to do so. The organizers have put in place measures which would assist you in erasing that mark but the final say is up to you. Therefore I challenge you to go out there and give it your best shot.”
Dr. Anthony reminded the cyclists of the event which first pedalled off in 1983 as an Upright Cycle Road Race when the winner covered the 169 miles in a time of 8 hours until the record by Pollydore and Gibbs which still stands.
“Prior to Pollydore and Gibbs’ record breaking ride, cyclists would have completed the three stages in a time of seven hours, something they still do as was evident in last year’s event which was won by Pollydore in a time of 7hrs. 20m: 14s, 57m and 12s off his record breaking ride.”
“It would be a shame to note that at the end of the three stages, an overseas-based Guyanese is carting off the top prize. That means our home-based cyclists are not strong enough and I want to encourage you to show to them that you have what it takes to compete in this event and win the title. If you are not up to scratch, you will lose the title,” said Dr. Anthony.
He further told the cyclists gathered that his ministry along with the NSC and the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) had established a relationship over the years, one which they plan to build on by organizing races of such magnitude for the cyclists.
“There are a number of significant events on the cycling calendar, but two of them, namely this race and the five-stage race, are events we plan to make an annual feature and at the moment we are looking at having a three-country race.”
Three-country race
He said further, “The first leg will commence in French Guiana, the second in Suriname with the final leg being held in Guyana and apart from that we have the Berbice River Bridge where it is our dream to have you the cyclists pedal across in a competitive event before the year is out. I want to urge you to demonstrate the highest level of sportsmanship in this event and may the best man win.”
Prior to Dr. Anthony’s remarks, both president of the GCF Hector Edwards and Director of Sports in the NSC Neil Kumar urged the cyclists to enjoy themselves on the road in a competitive manner. They also urged the officials to ensure that the race is a good one. Edwards also thanked the MCYS for once again sponsoring the event which is a premier one on the GCF calendar and he challenged the local cyclists to bring home the bacon.
“In order for us to get the support to further develop the sport of cycling in Guyana we need to display a high level of discipline. We can only get there with your support, as we are doing our best to give you the races to compete.”
“I want to challenge you also to ensure the winner of this year’s event is a locally-based cyclist as we are good enough to do so and whilst there is no measure of disrespect being meted out to the foreign cyclists, hopefully after the guys have ridden your legs out, you would think twice to return next year,” said Edwards.
Hills
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Anguilla-based Pollydore who has won this event on four different occasions, told Stabroek Sport that he is feeling a little funny with the difference in racing conditions.
“In Anguilla, there are lots of hills and very few flats whilst Guyana is not only flat, but also fast with a few hills on the Linden highway. But that course of the race will be handled in the third and final stage, by which time I would have set myself up, especially after the first stage.”
“I don’t intend to go out there and better my time done either last year or 11 years ago, as I am not that young anymore. I am competing on my experiences gained over the years and knowing what needs to be done and if I am alright after the first stage, I can take it from there,” said Pollydore. He continued, “That record will be a hard one to erase. First of all, you have to have somebody setting the pace hard and pushing you to the limit. Back then, the pace was set by Gibbs, Tyrone Hamilton and I and at the moment I am not pushing myself for any records. My first goal is to complete the first stage, then take it from there.”
Pollydore can expect a stiff challenge from Hamilton, last year’s runner-up Junior Niles who went on to win the five-stage event later in the year, Warren Mc Kay, Robin Persaud, Tony Simon, Albert Philander and fast rising junior cyclists Christopher Holder Jnr who has been dominant on the road so far this year, Geron Williams and Enzo Matthews. There is also the 2007 five-stage winner Alonzo Greaves who after winning the first event held in the National Park earlier this year appeared to have faded into oblivion, Phillip Piggott, Barbadians Devon Carter and Shawn Logan along with USA-based Guyanese Johnny Creavalle and King Attien from Trinidad and Tobago.
There is word that Gibbs would be facing the starter’s gun tomorrow. Stabroek Sport was reliably informed that the five-time champion is at present competing in the King of the Mountains in St Maarten.
In the meantime, Darren Allen who is considered one of the three fastest sprinters in the land is not competing due to educational commitments at the University of Guyana.
The first stage which covers 46.6 miles pedals off this morning from Corriverton to New Amsterdam at 7:30 am. The second stage from 2 pm will see the cyclists covering a distance of 60.4 miles taking off from the Rosignol Stelling and proceeding to Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.
The third and final stage which pedals off from Kara Kara in Linden to Homestretch Avenue is the longest, covering a distance of 62 miles and that takes place tomorrow morning from 7 am.
Trophies and cash prizes are up for grabs for the first six finishers overall. The first Junior and Veteran to complete the event will also be rewarded. The usual sprint prizes will be available for the three stages and the first three finishers in each stage will also be rewarded for their efforts.
