Former National Sports Commission (NSC) three-stage champion and Anguilla-based Guyanese Godfrey Pollydore believes that new champion Alonzo Greaves has a far way to go in the sport of cycling, with the potential he has been displaying.
“I am happy that he has won the event this year. No disrespect to the other cyclists, but he truly deserves it. He rode a very confident and tactical race and with such an attitude, he can go a very far way in the sport of cycling.”
Greaves won the recently-concluded NSC 27th Annual three-stage event in a time of 6h. 59m: 38s, disposing of Pollydore who despite winning two of the three stages ended up in fourth position behind Greaves, Christopher Holder Jnr and Tony Simon respectively, with a time of 7h. 00m: 24s.
“The work ethics that they displayed throughout the event would put them in good stead a little further in their career. They have a never-say-die attitude that was on show throughout the course of the race and I personally feel that the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) should invest heavily in these three cyclists,” said Pollydore.
Tour of Guadeloupe
When told of Greaves’ intentions to compete in the Tour of Guadeloupe, Pollydore without any hesitation said he would support such a move and called on the GCF to do the same as it would not only benefit the cyclist but the sport in Guyana as well.
“That is a move I would support any day. I never went there, but my co-record holder Dwayne Gibbs did compete and for a young rider as Greaves, such an exposure would make him a better and stronger cyclist.”
“From my experience when I was selected to go to Colombia and train back in 1998, that exposure served me well as I returned and put into practice what I was taught and that resulted in the now standing three-stage overall record timings of 6h. 54m: 54s, which is jointly held by Gibbs and me.”
He continued, “With Greaves’ idea of competing in the Tour of Guadeloupe, I think the GCF should make it a possibility not only for him but the top three finishers in the three-stage race along with young Geron Williams. These are cyclists who have the future of Guyana’s cycling resting heavily on their shoulders and exposures such as this one will definitely benefit them. Taking into consideration their present form, it is best to strike the iron whilst it’s hot and send them to the Tour of Guadeloupe,” said Pollydore.
He did express his disappointment at the performance displayed by Robin Persaud whom he felt should have placed in the top six of the race, based on his experience on the local scene.
“He has been around for a long time now and I must say that I am surprised by his performance in this event. Even though he suffered from cramps in the final stage, his placing in the first stage where he came in second behind me should have served as a confidence booster to him.”
He said further, “Despite all that, you must remember that the top three rode a race that netted them their final position. They took care of business in a way only they can do it, with Greaves setting the pace whenever he is placed in the pacing position, which reminds me of my younger days as a rider.”
The 32-years-old Pollydore told Stabroek Sport that he was confident going into the race, more so after the first stage, which was done in a record time of 1h 40m 08s.
“I sat down at home in Anguilla and decided to up my level of training, after which I told myself I am ready for anything that is thrown my way, be it in Anguilla or here in Guyana. Apart from that, I was thinking about how my back would hold up during the race.”
Kudos to Greaves
“I don’t like to make someone’s hard work look simple, but with the new training schedule I have been putting myself through along with my experience in the saddle, I know I can defeat them easily as I am way above them, but without any excuses, kudos must go to Greaves for a well ridden race,” said Pollydore.
“Before the race, taunts were thrown about who would team up with who and what they would be doing, but I was not fazed by it, as I knew that when I apply myself and take the lead, they either follow or drop out and that’s exactly what happened.”
The four-times champion said, “I felt the pain in my lower back midway through the first stage and when we were approaching the 19 Road, I wanted to step up the pace as they were doing 34kmh, whilst I wanted to do 36kmh and even more according to my training schedule, but the back would not permit such, so I settled in and cruised until the finish line.”
A father of two boys, ages 9 and 10 respectively, Pollydore expressed his love for racing here in Guyana in comparison to Anguilla where he now resides.
“In Guyana, the roads are very fast and speed is the key but in Anguilla, you have to have a combination of speed and power as most races are completed uphill as often as possible. Racing there is harder, as you are confronted with eight hours of work, then you have to train and prepare meals amongst other things.”
“Some persons look at you when you come back home to compete and say that you have it easy, but having to wake up to commence your training from 05:00hrs in the morning, then get to work for 07:00hrs, after which you get off from work at 14:30hrs to resume your training is not easy at all. It is rough,” said Pollydore.
“But yet still, I have to get up and do it and that’s what makes coming back home so sweet. Every year, I look forward to coming back home, not only to compete in the three-stage race, but take my recreational break at the same time.”
“The race is being used as an assessment, with regards to my training. It lets me know where I am from where I was and what more needs to be done to get me to the level I am looking forward to reaching.
At the same time, my training in the hilly terrain in Anguilla has enabled me to develop more leg speed, as well as enhance my cycling ability and technique. My method of approach has changed tremendously and I think that the Godfrey Pollydore who first won the three-stage event is not the same one today. My method of approach is different from what they put out here. Last year I competed against cyclists who have participated in the Tour of Guadeloupe and having overcome their challenge, I knew that I was way above the league of cyclists here in Guyana.”
NSC-sponsored airfare
The rumour mill was turning when Director of Sports Neil Kumar told Stabroek Sport that the NSC was funding Pollydore’s ticket to come home and defend his 2008 three-stage title. Pollydore himself made it clear that such a gesture was well deserved based on his discipline in the sport.
“Both Neil Kumar and Hassan Mohammed knew that I am a disciplined and very good ambassador for Guyana, hence their opting to sponsor my airfare to come here and compete in the three-stage race was a very good investment.”
“When I look back at my actions 15 years ago, it made a difference in my life and with my attitude and discipline displayed towards those around me, Kumar and Mohammed can do for me what they are doing now. It is not called pay back, but honour and I am sure many other cyclists and sportsmen/women will benefit the same way too,” said Pollydore.
Whilst stating that he is willing to represent Guyana anytime he is called upon to do so, Pollydore also outlined his aspirations to head the GCF someday.
“Coming from the bottom, I know what it takes to ensure the cyclists are happy. Being there and experiencing what needs to be done to make the cyclists happy, I would rather try and fail than fail to try and with the right personnel behind me, I know we can deliver not only for the cyclists, but the development of the sport in Guyana.”
Major games
“Apart from that, I am always available to represent Guyana whenever I am needed to do so. I think that if I were given the opportunity to go to such games as the Pan Am and Commonwealth Games, Guyana would have benefited from a medal as the times being done by cyclists such as Barbados’ Barry Forde were way below my time.”
“Nevertheless, that is bridge over untroubled waters and I want to say to the young cyclists out there, discipline is the key to success. Whatever your dreams are, you can achieve it through hard work, dedication and discipline,” Pollydore advised.
He plans to return to Guyana later this year to compete in his first ever five-stage event but the three-stage will always be his pet event, although he does not like competing in long distance races.
