By Rawle Toney
in Suriname
Guyana’s cycling team will defend their title today when they contest the team trial in the 2009 Inter Guiana Games (IGG) in Suriname.
Captained by Geron Williams, the team told Stabroek Sport that they are eagerly awaiting the competition and that they are confident of winning again.
“Well we are all having the normal nervousness which we have before a race like this but I think when we get out there to do our thing, it would just be us focusing on the race and the time trials because we want to win it,” Williams said.
The 18 year-old was part of the 2007 victorious team but then, cycling was basically a participatory sport.
However, this year, the organizers of the IGG have decided to add male cycling as part of the competition and will be going for points just like basketball and volleyball.
“I think giving the fact that we are the defending champions, it is going to be hard on us because everyone will be coming to defeat us. But I think also this having the male cycling going for points, it’s hard also, but we are very confident that we can pull it off” said the team captain.
Asked about the competition expected, Williams pointed out that not much is known of the French Guiana cyclist but stated that the Surinamese being at home will be coming hard at them.
“The thing is, this is first time for all of us here in Suriname but we have raced against some before and they are very competitive. In 2007 when we won, there was one guy from French Guiana and he was really good so we also expect them to come good as well,” Williams pointed out.
He further went on to say that the Guyana team is well balanced and that at any given time someone can rise because “we are some of the best our country has to offer. I can’t say who is better than who in this team because we having being this for a very long time even though we are young so these guys know what has to be done to win and that is what we’ll be doing.
The time trials today which be ridden for 10K and also the road race tomorrow for 60K will be done on relatively flat terrain as such, Williams believes it will fall right into their favour.
“If you look at the races back in Guyana, it is done mostly on flat surface so us coming here to ride is just like back home. But what we know is that the Surinamese are home so it’s their turf as well. This morning (yesterday) we went for a short ride and it felt pretty good. My self, Chris (Christopher Holder), Enzo (Mathews) and Persaud (Chris) we are just happy to be here to do our country proud” Williams pointed out.
As for team strategy for the time trials specifically, the captain said.
“Actually, this is my first I think since 2007 actually but Enzo he did it recently. It’s nothing to worry about. The good thing is we know what has to be done and how it should be done so it’s just about us going out their and doing it. Like I said we have a balance team so for me to say now who will start, I can’t but I can say I think we will win this.”
