Young Guyanese cyclist Ajani Cutting intends to pursue more racing opportunities in French Guiana after gaining valuable insight into the fitness and preparation required to compete at a higher level.
The National Sports Commission Three-Stage winner travelled with the Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club to Saint-Laurent du Maroni over the weekend for two Grand Prix events organised by the Vélo Club du Maroni.
Cutting was accompanied by fellow cyclists Kwame “Key Man” Ridley and Andre “Padlock” Greene, along with team manager Kevin Edwards. The club competed in Saturday’s Grand Prix S3T/Ouest Fleurs and Sunday’s Grand Prix Sanyrapid/L.A Transports.
The Guyanese riders encountered a fast and highly competitive peloton, with many of the French Guiana cyclists preparing for an upcoming international assignment.
Cutting said the fitness level of the field immediately stood out, as the riders maintained speeds not often experienced during local road races in Guyana. He was also impressed by their physical conditioning and preparation.
However, his promising experience was interrupted by a major crash during Saturday’s race. Cutting explained that two riders directly in front of him touched wheels and fell, leaving him unable to avoid the collision.
He was catapulted from his bicycle and run over by other cyclists involved in the pile-up. The crash left him with an injury to his right thigh, and he was transported by ambulance for treatment.
Cutting initially hoped to return for Sunday’s event, but the injury was worse than he first believed and prevented him from competing.
Despite the disappointing end to his weekend, the first-year Elite cyclist described the trip as an important learning experience. Cutting believes that racing more frequently in French Guiana, where the terrain and level of competition are different, could play a major role in his development.
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