FORMER national cyclist Randolph `Randy’ Toussaint has returned to Guyana ahead of the Ministry of Health/Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports/National AIDS Programme-sponsored 3rd Annual `Ride for Life’ Five-Stage Cycle Road Race.

Randy Toussaint represented Guyana at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The race, which is scheduled to wheel off on November 4 from Corriverton, Berbice and conclude on November 8 in Georgetown, promises to be a thriller, especially since a number of Caribbean cyclists as well as a few from North America are expected to be in Guyana for the event.

However, Toussaint who returned home from New York last week said he is leaving no stone unturned as far as his preparation for the 226-mile event goes.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, the former national cyclist said he came home early in order to get acclimatised and complete his preparation.

“I came home early because I want to get acclimatised and do some internal training. It’s getting cold now in New York and the cycle season is over so I decided I would come home early and do some training on the hills on the Linden/Soesdyke highway,” the 54-year-old said.

Asked if he came home because the weather is changing in New York, Toussaint promptly stated that he returned to Guyana especially for the five-stage race.

According to the veteran, he heard about the race from his fellow cyclists here in Guyana as well as in New York and thought that it would be a good thing to be a part of.

Toussaint said while he is not fully prepared, he is confident that come November 4, he would be ready to take on his younger compatriots.

About his chances of winning the $200 000 first prize, the former Guyana Olympian said he would not comment on that since he knows that there are lots of talented, strong riders that he would be coming up against.

He informed that his US-based compatriot Aubrey Gordon and a few other riders from the US are expected for the event.

Toussaint represented Guyana at the 1984 Los Angles Olympics where he, along with Gordon and Joylon Joseph, made up a road race team.

The still active cyclist who hails from Georgetown is currently training in Linden while conducting clinics for young cyclists from the community.

Asked why he chose to conduct clinics in Linden when he is originally from Georgetown, Toussaint explained that he has roots in Linden as well and because he wants to train on the Linden Highway leading up to the race, he decided to spend his time in the bauxite community.

Toussaint started his cycle career in 1972 and first represented Guyana at the World Championships that were held in Venezuela in 1977, but subsequently migrated to Suriname where he competed and even went across to French Guiana and placed among the top six in a number of races including the Tour de Cayenne.

Prior to that, Toussaint represented Guyana at the Texaco Games in Trinidad and won three medals, comprising gold, silver and bronze.

He won the gold medal in the 5 000-metre event and set a games record which, according to him, still stands.

In 1983 Toussaint migrated to the USA where he is currently based and competing among the veterans.

The first stage of the `Ride for Life’ race will get under way from Corriverton and end in New Amsterdam, Berbice, while stage two begins at the Rosignol Stelling and conclude on Carifesta Avenue the same day.

Stage three gets under way the following day from outside the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara and concludes at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

Stage four is scheduled for the very next day from Supenaam, Essequibo, proceeding to Charity and concluding at Suddie, Essequibo Coast, while the final stage will wheel off from Kara Kara, Linden Highway and end on Homestretch Avenue.