Reece cops two silver, bronze medal in Trinidad

Flying Ace Cycle Club cyclist Neil Reece recently copped a two silver and one bronze medal in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday following his international sojourn, Reece said that even though the competition was fierce, the experience gained was necessary for his development.

Neil Reece collecting his silver medal after competing at the Easter Grand Prix in Trinidad and Tobago
Neil Reece collecting his silver medal after competing at the Easter Grand Prix in Trinidad and Tobago

“The competition was stiff and it was my first year taking part in the senior category. I was the only Guyanese competing in category three which is very competitive and I did well winning two silvers and one bronze medal.”

Reece participated in three events at the Easter Grand Prix in Trinidad and Tobago which ran from March 29 to 31.

He said he won the silver medals whilst competing in two Elite Three, four lap races at the Arima Velodrome and at Skinner Park while the bronze medal was won the following week in a six lap criterium race behind the Queen’s Park Oval.

Reece said that while he has not competed much on the local circuit this year owing to his scholastic commitments, his future intention is to continue to seek foreign exposure within the Caribbean as a means of improving his cycling skill.
“This was my first real competitive test since the beginning of the year. In Guyana there is more focus on road races while in Trinidad the focus in on shorter track races which tend to be more about speed and are very competitive because you face a lot of high level riders,” added Reece.

He said that his current focus will be on preparing for the upcoming Independence Anniversary three-stage cycle road race and that without the sustained generosity of his sponsors he would not be able to achieve what he has so far in the sport.

“Thanks must be given to my sponsors A. Ally and Sons, Banks DIH Limited, Geddes Grant New Amsterdam, President of the Flying Ace Cycle Club and Manager of the Waterchris Hotel Mr. John Lewis, Lloyd and Kim Fashion, Sudesh Plumbing and Heating Supplies, Ganesh Singh and Sons, Ganesh Service Station Bush Lot Corentyne, Furniture World, Frank Gittens and Patrick Gouveia of Trinidad, Rawle Felix of the United States and former national boxing champion Jeff Roberts for their continued contribution to my development,” added Reece.

Reece’s Coach Randolph Roberts, who accompanied the young cyclist to Trinidad in closing, stated: “We need facilities because we have the best cyclists in the Caribbean but the standard is stagnating. One of our greatest dreams in the future is to get a velodrome.”