ST JOHN’S, Antigua – President of Antigua & Barbuda Cycling Association (ABCA), Cliff Williams, has crushed the hopes of Guyanese-born rider, Godfrey Pollydore whom, after winning Sunday’s test run of the course to be utilised during the Caribbean Cycling Championships in October, expressed a desire to represent Antigua & Barbuda in the regional championships.

Pollydore, during an interview, said he had missed Guyana’s national trials and was hoping to get onto the Antigua team after finishing fourth in our national trials one week ago.

“Last week when it was Antigua’s championships, it was also Guyana’s championships and they told me that I had to be in Guyana to ride the championships to qualify for the Caribbean Championships that would be held here in Antigua. But since I was in Antigua and I finished fourth, I would expect that Antigua would give me a bye on their team. I don’t mind riding for Antigua so it’s up to the (selectors) to say ’well, we don’t have no problem with you riding for us, ’” he said.

According to Williams, however, the rules have since changed and only nationals are allowed to represent their country.

“The CCF is very strict on representing with your passport and he doesn’t have an eligible Antigua passport. They even implemented it on the OECS Cycling Championships after last year as well. So if the OECS came off this year, they would be very strict on that as well; but the Caribbean Championships have implemented the passport rule about three years ago,” Williams said.

Commenting on Sunday’s race, Pollydore said the course is a pretty tough one but expects that local riders should be able to do well.

“The course is pretty tough. It had my back aching, but I just tried my best and survived it. But the guys should do pretty OK. But if Guadeloupe is going to be there and Martinique, it is going to be totally different because the guys from Martinique and Guadeloupe are on a level a little above us actually and you have to be really fit to compete with these guys and beat them coming to the line because they are really pretty good in the hills,” the cyclist said.

Pollydore clocked 2:53:11.577 to nudge Antiguan Jyme Brides Jr for the top spot in the A Class of Sunday’s event.

Bridges (2:53:11.758) finished in the number two position. Veteran cyclist Robert Marsh picked up a bronze medal with his time of 2:53:12.