Chikungunya, the dreaded viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that has reached worrying proportions in this country, has forced top cyclist Darren Matthews to pull out of this month’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games slated for Mexico.
His father, David Matthews, told the DAILY NATION, that Darren had been hit with chikungunya a few days ago, and had been advised by his doctor to take two weeks off his bike.
“It’s obviously a setback and I am sure Darren would have been keen to ride in Mexico but these things happen. A sick certificate has been despatched to both the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) and the Barbados Cycling Union (BCU).
“Chikungunya is rough. Both me and my wife Rosalind have had it. I am sure with some rest Darren will bounce back and will be in training soon,” David said.
Last month, top bodybuilders Stevenson Belle and Ramon Broomes came down with chikungunya and were forced to pull out of the Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic.
Matthews, a bronze medal winner at the 2012 Pan American Cycling Championships in Argentina, was this country’s best hope for a medal in cycling at the 22nd CAC Championships to be held in the Mexican port city of Veracruz from November 14-30.
His absence weakens a contingent already without ace United States-based athletes Akela Jones, Ryan Brathwaite and Shane Brathwaite, all of whom are unavailable.
At the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Matthews finished eighth and ninth on the track in the points and scratch races.
Once fully fit Matthews, who turns 24 in January, will be turning his attention to the 2015 season where he plans to train and race in Colombia for the first two months of the year before heading to the United States.
Cycling will be represented in Mexico by teenager Edward Sutherland and road rider Jason Perryman, who is based in Spain. The coach is Cuban Mihail Santos.
