After completing an apprenticeship in Portugal last year, training and racing with pro continental riders (governed by national federations) – Cayman’s international cyclist Nathaniel Forbes has etched a deal with Team Gesprom Evolution Colombia (TGC).
“We definitely have to perform in this tour,” Forbes told the Compass, noting that he remains positive that his performances will improve as he has put in a lot of work over the last several months.
Forbes will leave Cayman on Friday, 23 Feb., for the Dominican Republic for a series of events. He will compete in the seven-day stage race of the Vuelta Independencia National, beginning on 26 Feb.
From there he will continue his tour for TGC as an all-rounder to contest results on the flat sections, competing in races across Central and South America.
“At the pro entry-level racing, you do as directed, and it is not about individual riders winning, but a collaborative effort from each rider’s style and ambitions are the main job function in road team cycling,” Forbes said.
Accompanying Forbes will be his longtime coach Ken Gokool, who applauded his pupil for all his training leading up to the signing, acknowledging that training in Portugal was tough but it has prepared him for what’s to come.
“It was very difficult adjusting in the three months whilst in Portugal,” Gokool said, noting Forbes was covering 300 to 500 miles of training and racing per week, mostly on high mountain terrain in addition to a few flat sections of road courses.
Last October, Forbes was a guest rider on a three-day tour in Barbados. Prior to that, he raced in Jamaica, for AVR cycling team, where the squad placed first overall, and Forbes finished 10th in the individual standings.
According to Gokool, Forbes’ efforts were recognised by several teams in the region, but Gokool opted to sign with the Colombian team – a choice he feels will gain the Cayman Islands more exposure and a create a bigger presence in regional cycling.
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