Cycling returns with time trials set to pedal off today

After extended drought of cycling in Guyana due to the global pandemic of coronavirus, the Guyana Cycling Federation welcomes the return of competitive cycling with the first of 3 time-trials starting today: Sunday November 22, from 7:00 hours.
The time trial event which will pedal off under strict COVID-19 guidelines will start at Sparendaam, pedal through Kitty, turn at the Roundabout and end at the COVID-19 Hospital at Liliendaal.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Health have granted the Guyana Cycling Federation permission to run off this series of time trial events.
The second time trial event will be held in Berbice on November 29 in memory of the late star cyclist Wilbert Benjamin. That time trail in Berbice is set to start from 9:00 hours and the race will commence at Benjamin Sport and Fitness Centre in Fyrish, along the Number 19 road and end at GUYOIL gas station at Palmyra.
The final time trial event will be held on December 6 in Linden, commencing at Amelia’s Ward (KD&J Supermarket) to Moblissa Hill and back from 9:00 hours. Each time trial will have placings awarded for 1-3; and based on the overall accumulated times, placings will be awarded for 1-6.
GCF are cognizant of the COVID-19 guidelines, and are sure there will be adherence to the rules, so that the event would be successfully completed. The cyclists will line up six feet apart, and await their turn to start. Each cyclist would start when the time-keeper so signals. The cyclist will then proceed along the route to the finish line.
At the finish line, another time-keeper will record the cyclist’s finishing time. The proposed guidelines include a pre-registration to ascertain the number of cyclists, chaperones and officials who will be at the event on the day.
Based on the pre-registration, GCF can allocate start times to the participants and stagger arrivals if necessary. All persons will be checked before the event using a temperature gun. Officials would be required to wear masks during the entire event, and cyclists will be required to wear masks before the start and after they have finished their turn (their chaperones will be required to wear masks at all times during the event).
Each cyclist will be starting at two-minute increments at the starting line; this will avoid any grouping. After the cyclist has concluded his run, he will leave the area immediately with his chaperone. Results will be published via social media shortly after closing of the event. Persons failing to adhere to these guidelines are subjecting themselves to disqualification.
Persons are kindly asked to direct any query or clarification kindly to race secretary Malcolm Sonaram on 600-2656. The GCF are delighted towards the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Minister of Health for their commitment to cycling in Guyana.