In an exclusive interview yesterday, Pollydore, who is based in Anguilla, told Chronicle Sport he is very excited to defend the title he won last year, but is expecting stiff opposition from other overseas-based Guyanese such as former champion Dwayne `Road Hog’ Gibbs, Andrew Reece and Gordon `Barts’ Kennedy.

Reece and another overseas-based Guyanese, Shaka Whyte, are already in Guyana for the much anticipated event, while Kennedy, Gibbs and Anguillans Chris Padel and Pollydore’s Link Cycle Club team mate Claude Richards were expected in Guyana yesterday.

The Colombia-trained cyclist (Pollydore) said for the year he has competed in five races, winning two of them, placing second in another and finishing down the line in the other two.

He said he won a race in St Maarten and another in Anguilla and also placed second in another race in St Maarten.

The race in Anguilla which he won was a 45-miler while the one in St Maarten which he also won was a 50-miler.

According to him, his second place finish was in a 13-lap criterion on a two and a quarter mile circuit and the event was a keenly contested one in which he came up against a seven-man team from Guadeloupe and had no team members to help him.

Pollydore, who has done Guyana proud over the years while competing in the Region, said he is feeling good physically at the moment and is confident of doing well this weekend.

He said he last competed on the road about two weeks ago in Anguilla and placed sixth while competing against the team from Guadeloupe and others, but the event was won by Haymer.

The Plaisance-born cyclist who took up residence in Anguilla some years ago said when he rode in Guyana last year, he enjoyed the course and would relish the experience of racing on it this weekend.

He said he was surprised to learn that he still holds the race record (six hours 55 minutes) and he only learnt of this on Monday when he visited national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, one of the coaches behind his success. “When Mr Hassan (Mohamed) told me I still have the race record, I was very surprised, so I will be defending it and would be representing the NSC since they will be repaying me for my ticket from Anguilla.”

He said his chances of retaining his title this year are good and is looking forward to doing just that. “I’m going out there and hope to enjoy the race.”

Pollydore’s time for the event last year was seven hours 20 minutes 14 seconds. Pollydore’s father Ulric Pollydore said “I’m excited about my son being given an opportunity to defend his title, thanks to the National Sports Commission (NSC) which has committed itself to reimbursing the airfare from Anguilla.

“The Director of Sport Neil Kumar committed the NSC to reimbursing the cost of the ticket.”

Godfrey Pollydore said since returning home on Saturday evening, he has been doing road work in the mornings and afternoons and is feeling great.

Meanwhile, apart from the overseas-based cyclists who will be competing in this year’s event are locally based riders Junior Niles, Robin Persaud, Leer Nunes, Christopher Holder, Geron Williams, Enzo Matthews, Albert Philander, John Charles, Tyrone Hamilton and Warren McKay, among others.

The event will get under way at 07:30 h on Saturday from outside the Corriverton Police Station and will be started by Mayor of Corriverton Roy Bajnauth.

The first stage ends at Main and Alexander Streets, New Amsterdam.

Charles won last year’s first stage, while Kennedy won the second stage and Darren Allen the third, but Pollydore ended with a better overall time to claim the title.