DARREN MATTHEWS and Deidre Mayers are sticking by their man.
International cycling might be done with Barry Forde but his young wards certainly aren’t, as the two said they do not intend to stop training with the retired cyclist despite the questions raised by the disgruntled group Cyclists For Change.
The two top talents declared their stance in separate telephone interviews with SUNSPORT one day after Cyclists For Change publicly said they had an issue with Forde’s being involved in the sport following his three failed drug tests.
“I understand where they’re coming from, but it’s just a misunderstanding on their part, I guess; because Barry is allowed to train us in the gym,” said Matthews.
“That is what our entire group is based on. But Barry is not our cycling coach per se and there is nothing wrong with what Barry is doing because that is his job; he is a personal trainer.”
“He is our personal trainer in the gym and not my cycling coach, because my coach is Absi Rincon in Colombia, and that’s where I do my serious training for big races.”
A former world-rated cyclist, Forde stunningly announced his retirement from the sport in March after testing positive for the banned substance erythropoietin.
It was the third time since 2003 that he failed a drug test, leaving Forde to face a possible life ban had he decided to remain in the sport.
The sport’s governing body, UCI, put measures in place to prevent anyone who had violated anti-doping regulations from being employed in cycling.
Banned riders are also prohibited from taking an active role in the sport and the UCI has further eliminated the option of a banned rider going to work for a team after that suspension is over.
But Forde’s status is somewhat unclear as the result of the B sample from his latest test was never revealed, while he has since denied ever committing a doping violation.
“They have no right making those allegations because Barry was never sanctioned,” said Matthews of the Cyclists For Change’s concerns.
“Even if they do have a point, Barry isn’t on any current suspension, he’s just retired,” added Matthews.
Even before his retirement, Forde took a group of six promising riders under his wing to develop into future world-rated riders.
And their results have borne testimony to Forde’s work.
Matthews dominated both the National Track Championships and the Road Race Championships this year, while Mayers and top junior Javed Mounter each broke records at the former event on the way to sweeping their respective divisions.
“He’s not only knowledgeable in the sport, but he’s very down to earth and there’s nobody better equipped to take the youngsters forward, because he is able to motivate you and bring you from nothing to something,” said Mayers, who set a new mark in the 200 sprint.
“Initially, I had my concerns, too, but I don’t really call him ‘coach, coach’, he’s more like an adviser.
“Going forward, I don’t have any problems with Barry. He doesn’t bring anything but positivity to the table.
“If I know that I am clean, then so be it. I’m free to get tested at any time,” she added.
Forde is currently accompanying Mounter to the Junior World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
