… Last year’s winners will possibly miss title defence
THE Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has released the dates and distances for its 2018 National Cycling Championships, the Individual Time Trials (ITT) and Road Races (RR) set to be contested over three days (June 23, 24 and July 1).
On June 23, the ITT will be held on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway from 09:00hrs. The starting point will be the Yarrowkabra Police Outpost. The cyclists will proceed to a 10km mark on the highway before finishing at the point of origin.
Meanwhile, the following day (June 24), the Masters, Juveniles, Juniors and Ladies road races will pedal off from the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Homestretch Avenue and proceed to Timehri before returning to the Linden/Soesdyke Junction where the Masters and Junior cyclists will head up to Long Creek and then return to the point of origin.
The Ladies and Juveniles will not head to Long Creek but instead will return to Homestretch Avenue for the finish.
The following weekend on July 1, the Senior Men’s road race will see the top senior cyclists pedal off from the NSC on Homestretch Avenue, proceed along the same route as the Masters and Juniors but with added distance to Moblissa along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, before returning to the point of origin.
As a side noted, the GCF warned that Junior and Juvenile riders will not be allowed to compete without the requisite gear, according to regulations by the Union Cycliste International (UCI).
The announcement comes just three weeks before the set date for the National Championships and many in the cycling fraternity feel as though there is too little time for cyclists to prepare and train along the stipulated routes.
In addition, it is unclear whether or not defending Senior Men’s champion, Raynauth Jeffrey will be able to make the trip back home from the USA to defend his title as he is currently racing on that country’s circuit.
A number of other cyclists are also in French Guiana and the USA, and concerns are raised over their availability to return home.
Women’s champion, Claire Fraser-Greene, is also in doubt to defend her title, as she has work obligations in England.
The defending junior cyclist is Briton John while Junior Niles is the reigning Masters champion.
