January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Cyclists looking for podium spots
The five cyclists - Tyler Butterfield, Geri Mewett, Kris Hedges, Garth Thompson and Wayne Scott - form what many believe is the strongest team Bermuda has take to the Caribbean Championships. And with one of the final three spots at the Pan Am games in Brazil up for grabs it's going to be an all or nothing battle for a podium finish.
"This is the last chance to qualify and you've got to finish in the top three. Basically, show up on the podium and you are there," said Dunne.
Butterfield is the number one rider and the remit for the rest of the team will be to protect him and ensure he's in the breakaway group going for gold at the end of the race.
Dunne, who feels that Bermuda has its best chance in years of making an impact at the championships, said the focus was all on Tyler but if he made it to the top three it would have to be a team effort.
The riders will be wired up with radios and able to communicate with each other and with Dunne as the 80-mile road race progresses - allowing them to co-ordinate on tactics and make sure they don't miss any breaks from the peleton. "At the end of the race you'll still end up with one guy from Bermuda (most likely Butterfield but possibly Mewett) in a pack with several other riders going for the win.
"But it's up to the team to get him to that stage. You want to try to control the race so when the break comes you've got your strongest rider in there.
"This is the first time I've been to this event and I'm excited about it but the reality is we have an awesome team and I think the chances of us getting a podium spot are as good as they have ever been."
The… road race, with a field of 96 riders, takes place on Sunday. But Hedges and Thompson will be in action in the time trial event on Saturday. "Garth is in peak physical condition right now. Those guys have a great chance."[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.