The ride back to success for LeRoy Cort

Sep 18, 2017 Sports, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...cess-for-leroy-cort/

Born in Georgetown, Guyana, LeRoy Cort worked hard and settled in New Jersey, USA and took many regular vacations to his country of birth. But as fate would have it, on one of those visits he received an invitation to a local bike race in Guyana.

Surprised but excited, “The only time I competed in bike race was when I was 13,” he remarked. Now in his 30’s, the opportunity to race again was the one he couldn’t resist. He finished in a respectable position which was a solid achievement for someone who didn’t race for almost two decades, the race was finished but this was just the start for LeRoy. “I am pleased with my performance and I can’t wait to race again.”
After the event, racing became his new-found passion and focus. He studied his performance, paid attention to little details and became obsessed trying to be the best racer he can possibly be. Although, he would have to wait for long before he could race again.
It was not until November of that year when the opportunity came again when he returned to Georgetown. It was not just a friendly race this time, it was the Caribbean Nationals. LeRoy prepared himself for this kind of opportunity all year, he knew this would be the chance for him to shine and impress.
“I looked forward to it, the nationals is a big competition, many people want to win it, I am just happy to be a part of it to compete and have fun.”
The race started and LeRoy got off to a decent start in the middle of the pack.
“It was tough making sure the margin between me and the front group didn’t get bigger and there were riders behind me gaining momentum but I was doing pretty good and retained my position throughout the race.”
It was a long hard and exhausting battle; the race was drawing to a close. Two laps to go, LeRoy felt he could push on and felt there was a possibility of gaining a couple of spots if they make a mistake. “I thought I did well to hold my position and at that time but you always want more so I was focusing on the front, if I try a bit harder and put pressure on them, I would be in a great position,” he says. “I was gaining closer but then all of a sudden I lost control and fell off the bike. The rider behind ran over me and I lost consciousness.”
It was heartbreaking for LeRoy who worked really hard for the event and even more bitter when he was going to finish well in his first ever competitive race. It would have been a great deal of pride for him had he finished the race but instead he had to deal with disappointment of not finishing the race and sustaining injuries means he could not race for a while. “I was disappointed because I thought I raced well to be where I was, considering my experience was amazing but it’s very hard to accept I couldn’t finish the race.”
The sorrow and pain LeRoy felt was immense, the physical and mental takes a lot of beating. LeRoy didn’t rule out racing but admitted he’s not sure if he would race again.
After recovering from the injuries, he would go back home to Guyana and get on the bike, practice and take a few laps of the circuit. But when it was race time, he couldn’t do it. He pulled out, the fall still in his thoughts.
The dark, unwanted memories came between him and his love for racing. It was hard for him to take part, but he knew if he had to compete he had to be confident. He was uncertain he could, question marks about his ability was daunting his mind.
For the next few years, LeRoy didn’t race instead focusing on his work life. But deep down, he missed racing, it was his passion taken away from him. He wanted it back but he didn’t know if he had the confidence. “I became a spectator in life. Going to office, coming back home, my passion was racing. And without your passion, you feel empty inside,” he exclaimed.

On December 2016, he decided he would work his way to racing again. He refused to let the negative and dark thoughts rule over his love for racing. He bought a bike and started racer license class in June at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with the Penguin Racing School. He still had to balance work life, business, relations and racing. It wouldn’t be until September 8th he would race for the first time in 5 years.
“I was nervous but I felt I had to take part in the race. It was a great feeling to be back.” Not only was he back, but he won the race, finishing first in the rookie race. “I am absolutely delighted to win, overcoming my struggles and coming back from the fall was not an easy road but it was definitely worth it and I am very happy.”
LeRoy would finish 1st again, 2nd and 4th in the other races over the weekend. He’s proud to represent his home country of Guyana in the races, the place where he found and started his passion. The country is in his mind and soul, and he will never forget the place where he came from.
The final race if this season is in October and LeRoy is very much excited and looking forward to it, “I am hoping for great results once again, I am happy I never gave up on my passion and even more happy I was able to be successful. I’d like to thank my sponsors Flatrate Installs Inc – Television Installation Specialists, Ride Tech Rentals – Motor racing rental across the Caribbean and all my family and friends that have supported me during the building with their little donations. I wish my father was here to see this I can only imagine how he would brag to everyone he knows.”
LeRoy showed great courage and desire to come back from a devastating injury, his resilience is an inspiration to many who know his story. October 7th is the finale of the series, you can follow him on www.facebook.com/ridingrehab58 for live video updates and results.

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