GUYANA'S young brigade of cyclists out-pedalled their Dutch and French counterparts to win the inaugural Team Time Trial Cycle Race that was staged around the inner circuit of the National Park yesterday and national cycle coach, Hassan Mohamed, is confident that the locals will occupy the top three places in today's 36-mile road race.
Led by the experienced Alonzo Greaves who is tipped to win today's 36-miler, with support from the Caribbean juvenile champion Geron Williams and runner-up Christopher Holder, the locals clocked 21 minutes 38.43 seconds (21:38.43) to win the 15K (10-lap) event ahead of French Guiana's four-some who returned 22:43.81 and Suriname's quartet (22:58.46) respectively.
According to the Guyana Cycling Federation's (GCF) vice-president Brian Allen, one change will be made to Guyana's four-man team for today's road race.
Allen said Enzo Matthews will replace Scott Savory who dropped out of yesterday's time trial after just three laps were completed.
According to Mohamed, the victory by the Guyanese foursome was an excellent one especially since it's the first such event on the Inter-Guiana calendar.
Mohamed, who has been organising cycle races for the country's youths for over three decades and who has produced some of the country's best cyclists, said he is very happy that the event started on time and that the representatives from Suriname and French Guiana assisted with the recording of the times of each team.
"I'm glad that they were able to be here to assist and that they are satisfied with the results of the event. I'm even happier that they assisted in keeping the time and that all are in agreement with the final results."
Mohamed, the coordinator of the cycling events, opined that the smooth running of the event was due to the successful technical meeting he had with officials of the two visiting teams.
"I want to thank the supporters for coming out to make this event a truly international one but I'm kind of sad that the other members of the Guyanese team (male and female basketball and volleyball teams) were not there to lend their support to the Guyanese `Young Brigade' as was the case with the support given to the foreign riders by members of their delegation."
Mohamed believes that the locals can win today's road race because the Guyanese are accustomed to the terrain, they know the course and apart from that, they have an added advantage by competing more regularly than their French and Dutch counterparts.
"I feel personally we can win the road race today. We came up against stiffer opposition than they are giving us … so I don't think they can beat us today,” the coach noted.
Mohamed would like to thank the National Parks Commission as well as the members of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department for a job well done and extended a personal thank you to Minister of Works and Transport, Robeson Benn, for patching up the National Park's inner circuit.
"I'm happy with what they have done but we need to get the entire circuit resurfaced." Mohamed stated.
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