Four locally based members of Guyana’s team departed the country yesterday for the Caribbean Elite and Under-23 Road Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic, where they will link up with national road race champion Briton John.

Ajani Cutting, Andre Greene, Segun Hubbard and Aaron Newton made the trip from Guyana, while John is expected to travel separately from the United States to join the squad ahead of the October 9-12 championships.

The five riders make up Guyana’s final team for the regional event following several changes to the original selection.

The Guyana Cycling Federation had first identified nine male riders for the championships, but was later forced to reduce the travelling party after the Caribbean Cycling Union ruled that vacant female spots could not be reassigned to additional male cyclists.

Guyana’s allocation was split between five male and five female positions. With no female riders selected, the GCF had hoped to use the available places to send more men, but that proposal was not approved.

Following a council meeting, John, Cutting, Newton, Hubbard and Alexis Mendes were selected as the final five riders.

However, Mendes suffered an injury while competing at the Tour de Bim in Barbados and was subsequently ruled out. Greene, of Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club, was then drafted into the squad as his replacement.

GCF President Nigel London is accompanying the team as manager and is also expected to attend the Caribbean Cycling Union meeting in his capacity as federation president.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has assisted with funding for Guyana’s participation in the championships.

The Ministry has also approved bicycles for John and Sidwell Sandy, with a further commitment to provide two additional cycles next year.

With the locally based riders now on their way, Guyana’s five-man team is expected to be fully assembled in the Dominican Republic ahead of the start of competition.