… Cyclists’ receive just three weeks’ notice

DESPITE the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) Rules (1.2.049) which state that the race organiser(s) should give 60 days’ notice prior to the date of the event in writing, email or fax stating invitation and general information about the race i.e. course outline, etc., the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) is about to roll off its National Championships from this weekend (June 23 and 24) just three weeks after giving initial notice to cyclists and cycle clubs.

Cyclists have expressed frustration at such short notice being given, as several of them have planned and in some cases have already travelled for races overseas during the same peroid.

One cyclist, speaking under condition of anonymity, pointed out, “It’s not good, I think they should have let us know about the Championships at least two months in advance because some of us have already planned on racing out of the country. A member from my team travelled just this morning (yesterday) because he did not know the date prior to his travelling itinerary. He will be missing the championships.”

The Individual Time Trials (ITT) and Road Races (RR) are set to be contested over three days (June 23, 24 and July 1).
On June 23, the ITT will be held on the Soesdyke/Linden 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 Soesdyke Junction where the Masters and Junior cyclists will head to Long Creek then return to the point of origin.

The Ladies and Juveniles will not head to Long Creek but instead will finish at Homestretch Avenue.

The following weekend on July 1, the senior men’s road race will see the top 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 Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, before returning to the point of origin.

The GCF warned that Junior and Juvenile riders will not be allowed to compete without the requisite gear, according to regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).