Juniors could team up on Sunday

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24: Bermuda’s top young cyclists could be banding together this weekend to take on their elders.

Bermuda’s youth were supposed to compete in the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic, but that event has been pushed back to September or October because of the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac.

Peter Dunne, president of the Bermuda Bicycle Association, said it is a disappointment they can’t compete at the Championships, but by bringing them together for the Southside road race, it will allow them to bond together as a team.

“I’m working to get approval from their local teams to let them race as a unit this weekend.”

He said Vashon Cann, Mark Godfrey and Deshi Richardson would work together as a team in the Men’s A race while Daniel Oatley, Nathaniel Hartwig, Nico Barclay and Delean Richardson would compete as a team in the Men’s B race.

Also expected to race this weekend is Gabby Arnold, who would have been Bermuda’s eighth representative at the Junior Championships.

“They would race in their national team kit so Mark wouldn’t be racing for Winners Edge.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to race together and show off their fancy kit. They are so mentally prepped for this they need the opportunity to standout as a group instead of being just another guy on the Madison team.”

Dunne said having the Junior Championships is a “bad thing” for several reasons.

“These athletes have spent nearly 12 months training for this date in mind.”

He said last December the team hit the gym for strength conditioning and building endurance.

“Their programme has been very structured with the goal of creating a peak level of fitness for this weekend.”

He said like track and swimming, cyclists gear up for peak fitness.

“You can’t maintain that forever. “These kids are extremely prepared for this weekend. They have made huge progression in both the mental and physical aspects of the sport.

“They are ready to rumble now.”

He said having the championships delayed means having a period of recovery so they can build back up again. Plus, the juniors will also have to deal with the distraction that they are now back in school.