GUYANA’s two-man team consisting of 1980 and 1984 Olympics representative, James ‘Joelyn’ Joseph and Aubrey Gordon, competed at the 2017 UCI World Masters Championships in Carson, California over the past week, at the VELO Sports Center.

The Guyana team participated in the 20 laps scratch race. The race was won by Clayton Shepard of the USA, while Guyana’s James ‘Joelyn’ Joseph finished second and Michael Hines of USA, third.

Gordon, who was not having a good race, was forced to abandon with 8 laps to go as he was forced off the track when two cyclists fell in front of him.

The 500 meters time trial was won by USA’s Kurt Sato (34.936 seconds). David Willmott of Australia (35.915 seconds) was second and Joseph (36.088 seconds) third.

The flying 200 metres is used to seed the cyclist for the Match Sprint. Joseph rode a world record time of 11.420 seconds and was seeded number one.

Gordon rode the final event–40 laps point to point–and was ninth.

“In Summary, Guyana did very well, however, to continue at this level the cyclists and Coach who had to foot their expenses will need financial assistance” the team’s coach, Victor Rutherford said, while adding “arriving on Saturday to commence racing on Sunday in not good enough. Especially as our cyclists do not have the luxury of a Velodrome at their disposal.”

Rutherford explained that “most of the competitors have sponsors who absorb the cost and are full time cyclist. Team Guyana needs to be in place a week before the competition so as to practice on the track. Gordon and Joseph understandably have their Day job and family expenses.”

“Hopefully, next year’s Championships which will be held at the said venue, we can by way of sponsors, the Guyana Cycling Federation, the GOA the ministry of sport and Guyanese at large, be able to equip the cyclists so that they can have an even playing field” Rutherford said.

While advocating for Guyana to have a larger contingent, Rutherford thanked Neville and Cyril Hunte, Peter Sue, Mark Wills and Nehru Sheow for their support of the team.

The VELO Sports Center is a 100,000 square foot, $15 million worth specially designed 250- meter indoor cycle racing track. The VELO Sports Center is also a part of StubHub Center’s partnership with the USOC as an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site and is a home track to USA Cycling’s national track cycling programme.

The VELO Sports Center hosts training and international competitions for the world’s elite cyclists, as well as classes open to the public, at any skill level.