By Joe Chapman

GUYANA’S cycling fraternity was plunged into mourning on Monday, February 3, after the sad news reached these shores that United States-based former Guyana Cycling Olympian and past UCI World Masters Champion Aubrey ‘Gibbyhead’ Gordon had passed away at his home in Reading, Pennsylvania.

A first viewing take place yesterday between 17:00 hours to 20:00 hours at Bean Funeral Home, 129 E, Lancaster Avenue, Shillington Park. 19607.
He will be buried on Saturday February 15, with another viewing from 9:00 hours to 12:00 noon at 102-17 101st Avenue, Ozone Park, NY and his body will be laid to rest at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum.
Aubrey Gordon, who was a member of the Kaieteur Cycle Club before migrating, took the world stage first when he represented Guyana at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 1984 and then when he was the flag bearer for Guyana at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Spain. He celebrated his 67th birthday in November last year.
A pleasant personality and an outstanding cyclist Gordon over the years, he will surely be missed.

President of the Guyana Cycling Federation Horace Burrowes said in a statement stated: “The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of our esteemed national cyclist Mr. Aubrey Gordon. A trailblazing Olympian, multi World championship medalist and dedicated ambassador for the federation at numerous international events, his contribution to Guyanese cycling will never be forgotten.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, friends and the entire cycling community during this difficult time. Mr. Gordon’s remarkable legacy continue to inspire and motivate future generations of cyclists. Rest in peace dear friend, Mr. Aubrey Gordon.”

His mentor, coach, manager and relative Victor Rutherford, who is based in Florida expressed shock at Gordon’s demise.
Rutherford, himself a former national cycling champion related that after Gordon began his cycling career, he was asked how could Aubrey Gordon not be ride for the Flying Stars Cycle Club which Rutherford rode for, knowing they were family.

But Rutherford quipped: “family has nothing to do with it. He was always with Kaieteur Cycle Club.”
After taking on the role of coach of the Guyana Cycling Federation in 1978, Rutherfod recalls in South Trinidad when Gordon faced a Canadian cyclist by the name Steve Brouwer, a Canadian who had won a stage in a ‘Tour de France’ race.
According to Rutherford, Gordon had natural ability and like him they saw cycling as a hobby, as against perhaps the greatest cyclists Guyana has ever produced in Neville Hunte and Joelyn Joseph, who both trained as if it were their jobs and took it to another level.

Rutherford said Aubrey Gordon had some unique qualities and many from time to time would say he had some extra pounds.
Rutherford, the multi-time former National cycling coach and manager reflected a time they were in the Twin-Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for a cycling meet when “a Canadian cyclist Steven Bauer and Guyana’s Aubrey Gordon got away from the pack in the 2KM featured event, and as far as the Canadian coach was concerned, it was over.
However, Gordon beat Bauer coming home and when it was done, the Canadian coach asked me: “Mr. Rutherford may I have a word with you? We have checked your man out and we realise he does not lift weights. Where did he get the power from?” I told him you may not be familiar with Guyana, but we got BG plantain. I told him that jokingly. That was Aubrey Gordon, he had deceptive power.”
Bauer went on to win Canada’s first Olympic silver medal in road cycling at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, and until 2022 was the only Canadian to win an individual stage of the prestigious Tour de France.

At that Trinidad meet teammate Joelyn Joseph won the sprint title and Aubrey the feature 2KM event.
Looking at his cycling career Gordon represented Guyana on several occasions including the Pan Am Games in 1975 in Mexico and 1979 Puerto Rico, also 1979 Goodwill Games in Moscow and the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1992 Olympics where he was Guyana’s flag bearer in Barcelona Spain.
He was the United States National Masters champion on three occasions. World Masters Gold Medal winner in Sydney, Australia in 2009 and Silver medalist 2017 in Auckland New Zealand. Gordon won many races both on the track and road at home in Guyana and in the Caribbean region.
After migrating to the United States in 2008 the former national cyclist Aubrey Gordon, competing in the US National Masters Road Championships in Louisville, Kentucky was third in the US National Masters Road Race and won the criterium event.

In 2009 Gordon captured first in the UCI World Masters Criterium 60 kilometres Road Race in the men’s 50-54 years age category in Sydney, Australia.
Aubrey Gordon won the USA Masters Cycle Road Race in 2012 as he completed in the Men’s Masters 55-59 category.
At the 2017 World Masters in Auckland New Zealand Gordon claimed a Silver Medal.
That year also at the 2017 USA Cycling Masters Road Nationals, Guyanese Aubrey Gordon captured gold in the 60-64 age category Criterium Race in Augusta, Georgia.
Gordon rode home victorious ahead of American Kent Bostick, who had won two Gold Medals at the PAN American Games. One was in 1987 at the PAN American Games team time trial and the other in 1995, when Bostick set a world record for individual pursuit on the track. He also represented the United States at the 1996 Olympics.
Gordon was on several national teams which included Joelyn Joseph, Errol McLean, Randy Toussant, Cyril Hunte, Galen Williams and Ignatius Titus.