The Tour of Belize may carry international prestige, while the Krem New Year’s Day Classic may have media hype, and someday soon, they say the Belize City Criterium will be back to roll through “the Alberts”, but nothing can match the drama, the difficulty and the history of the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. This year as in so many other years since 1988, the question is: can a Belizean cyclist keep the garland at home?
We don’t know, but we can tell you that with 28 international riders, it’s going to be very difficult. This morning – as we do every year - we went out for the Thursday speed ride to see who was getting a last rush of adrenaline before the big dance. But because of wet conditions and rain, the speed ride, was mostly a slow ride today – but there was still a story of hope, and those playing the rope-a-dope.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Before sunrise and despite rain – the all Belizean C-Ray Team hit the Western Highway this morning for the speed ride. The team’s star is Jose Choto - who is amongst the top Belizean contenders for this year’s Cross Country.
Jose Choto, C-Ray Team
“It has been kind of hard but it is only so you can win, if you work hard and get paid to work hard so that is what we are hoping for.”
Keith Swift,
What kind of work have you put in?
Jose Choto,
“We put in some serious hours, we did lately about six to four hours
a day nearly and we did some very long rides so we are confident coming into this one.”
Keith Swift,
A lot of people are saying that because of how well you did in the Tour of Belize you stand a good chance of winning the Cross Country this year. Do you agree?
Jose Choto,
“Yes we have not only me, the team itself has a big chance to win the race but I am in good shape and I have a lot of years under my belt already and then I have a lot of experience. Last year I was in the, I got away with this Mexican guy all the way to mile 13 and I kind of failed there but I think this year with the training and the intensity rides we did, I think we could finish it off.”
Also riding for C-Ray are Jose’s younger brother Giovanni – and Brandon Cattouse – son of cycling veteran and team manager Ray Cattouse.
Giovanni Choto, C-Ray
“The team is in shape right now and just try our best out there and try to win.”
Keith Swift,
What type of work have you guys put in preparing for the race?
Giovanni Choto,
“Well we were training hard, doing some serious miles, some hard rides, and did some cool off rides and it feels good.”
Brandon Cattouse, C-Ray
“I feel real good because I’ve been training really hard for this race. I’ve been riding for a year now, me and my team have been training
real good so I think we have a good chance of winning this year’s Cross Country.”
Keith Swift,
This is your first Cross Country?
Brandon Cattouse,
“No my second Cross Country. I rode it in 2004 and now I’m riding it again. Every Tuesday and Thursday we do the speed rider with the crowd and Wednesday and Sunday we do long ride and Friday we do intervals and Saturday we just do a slow ride.”
Keith Swift,
How important is to you for a Belizean to win this race?
Brandon Cattouse,
“I think it is very important for a Belizean to win this year because for the past, I am not sure how many years, only foreigners win the race and C-Ray is an all Belizean team, we don’t have foreigners on our team.”
Keith Swift,
Most teams have two or three foreigners on their team to help them out. You don’t, why is that?
Ray Cattouse, C-Ray
“I think that my boys are in good shape, the Choto brothers, my son, the rest of the team, and I honestly believe we can pull it off - just us.”
But it won’t be just them on the road. Quinton Hamilton who finished 24th last year and Leslie Sanchez who finished 28th are also serious contenders for the garland.
Quinton Hamilton, Guinness/Acros/Smiling Meats
“I feel confident and motivated and as I said in the previous years
it doesn’t matter who comes to Belize or whatsoever once I prepare. I am well confident.”
Keith Swift,
How well prepared are you for this year’s race?
Quinton Hamilton,
“Well good enough to try to get the win at the finish.”
Keith Swift,
Will you be riding for the country or for the team?
Quinton Hamilton,
“For the two of them. Country comes first and team in the second but its 50-50 for me.”
Leslie Sanchez, Sugar City Boys
“I had placed twice in the top ten, both in 2005 and 2006 and last year I was coming in the top ten but then I had a little difficulty at about mile 4 coming in to the finish. I am not too prepared this year because this year it was quite a challenge for me, I am currently employed and I am going to school part time in the night but I will go out there despite the fact and I will try my best.”
And Cross Country wouldn’t be cross country without controversy. This time it is over drug testing. There will be none and Ray Cattouse says it is a conspiracy.
Ray Cattouse,
“It is my feeling that those in charge are not interested in that area and those using it are trying to keep it that way. It affects me big time because my son and the Chotos are some of the best guys in the field and we are going up against these guys that if you ask me, I think they are deck loaded – they can’t even carry a message because they are full up of everything else.”
And while the cloud of doping hangs over the sport of cycling, on Holy Saturday, the Western Highway tolerates no imitators or pretenders.
And we’ll have more on the cross country later on as Keith Swift speaks with some other cyclists who assembled this evening for the parade through town….so stay tuned for that.
