Latest update February 10th, 2025 7:48 AM
Leal relegated after placing 2nd at JCCC in Dom. Rep.
GFC appealing decision to CCU & UCI; applaud riders for brilliant performances
By Franklin Wilson
Guyana’s historic performance at the just concluded Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships (JCCC) held in the Dominican on September 15 – 16 was overshadowed by the relegation of 14-year-old Raul Leal who had placed second overall to countryman Michael Anthony but was relegated to 4th place based on grounds not too clear to the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).
It was the first time that Guyana would have done so well at this level; it was also the first time that any country would have won both the junior and juvenile road races. Paul DeNobrega’s winning time 
in the junior event is also a record.
GCF President Cheryl Thompson has indicated that the governing body for the sport in Guyana has lodged an appeal with the Caribbean Cycling Union and the International Cycling Federation as they pursue the matter vigorously.
The GCF through its leading administrator has said that they salute the young riders and Manager/Coach Wayne DeAbreu for a fantastic job coming up against 18 other countries and 100 cyclists in each race – junior and juvenile. Team Guyana was fully sponsored by Manager of Team Coco’s, Miami based Cycling Team, Guyanese Ian ‘QB’ Davis.
Leading all to the finish line in the juvenile road race which covered a distance of 50km was 15-year-old Michael Anthony who completed the course in a time of One Hour 26 Minutes 56 Seconds. Leal had finished second to Anthony but was moved down to fourth place and replaced by Pedro Rosa Nunez of Puerto Rico (1:30.55) with T&T’s Akil Campbell taking the bronze.
The junior race, covering a distance of 80km was won (gold) by local boy Paul DeNobrega in record time; Two Hours 04 Minutes 01 Second. The grueling event saw more than half of the starters failing to finish and Yoan Ludovic Kabel of Guadeloupe taking the silver with another Guyanese Raynauth Jeffrey copping the bronze medal.
Kaieteur Sport understands that the reason put forward for the relegation of Leal is not solid. It is being claimed that Leal’s cycle was not correctly configured. If that was indeed the reason for the decision of the organizers, why did they allow Leal to compete with the same not properly configured cycle?
It is standard procedure for cycles to be inspected prior to a race if there are doubts in the minds of the race officials and once that is done, a decision would have had to be made regarding the rider (s) adjusting to suit the rules or being left out of the race totally.
From all appearances, the organizers erred in this regard which makes their decision an unfair one for the young rider to have competed and then to be told that the position he worked for would not be his legally.
Naturally, young Leal was very disappointed and upset with the decision of the officials at the conclusion of the event. It was reported that Manager/Coach Wayne DeAbreu lodged a verbal complaint with the organizers; the GCF has followed up in writing.
GCF boss Thompson noted that the fact Leal was allowed to ride the entire race and then be relegated was a breach of his constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, Manager of sponsor Team Coco’s Ian ‘QB’ Davis has complimented the riders for creating cycling history by winning both marquee events, and in the case of Paul DeNobrega, his winning time being a record.
It is also the first time that a country would have swept both events, accomplishments that the Guyana Cycling Federation is proud of.
Davis indicated that he was well aware of the talent of the quartet and the need for them to be encouraged by competing at a higher level regularly in order to develop. These are reasons for him {Davis} deciding to sponsor them to compete at the Bigi Bergi 4-stage race that was held in Suriname a few weeks ago.
Thompson also complimented Mr. Davis for the vision and confidence his club has been showing in the development of cyclists in Guyana noting that apart from making it possible for the riders to compete, Team Coco’s has also been donating racing cycles to riders in Guyana to the value of thousands of US dollars.
“The GCF would like to salute Team Coco’s and Mr. Davis for partnering with us to support these young riders and cyclists on the whole. They must be complimented for the vision and the level of no-nonsense support they have been giving to local cyclists. What the four riders have accomplished for our nation can only be bettered but not erased.”
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