On arrival there his training intensified, his skills developed and his performances blossomed. Winning in this class against the cream of the country's top cyclists became commonplace but even more significantly; his ownership and outright domination of the longer races are legend.

From 1962 through 1968, David, who grew up in Laing Avenue, Ruimveldt, where he lived with his mother and two brothers, became a permanent fixture on Guyana's national cycling team, both locally and internationally, he cut a path of successful and valiant performances that would become standard by which others, following in his footsteps, would be required to emulate.

Reports of his performances against the best competition in the world at the time, whether locally or internationally, were always in high praise of his physical abilities and mental toughness.

Success for him was not always in victory. David was an intelligent rider. He rode with panache, he was aggressive, he was determined and tenacious, but more importantly, cycling fans were always thrilled and entertained by his Herculean demonstration of stamina and power.

Based on his qualities, in 1967 he was selected to represent Guyana at the Central American Championships that were held in Jamaica and in spite of suffering bodily scrapes and bruises, and a broken bicycle while training there in preparation for these events, he was still successful in winning a bronze medal in the 4000-metre individual pursuit championship event.

On another auspicious occasion, in the final event of an international cycling meet against the best competition from the West Indies, United Kingdom, United States and South America, at the British Guiana Cricket Club, ground, David lapped the field, not once, but three times, on his way to his most spectacular victory.

On this occasion, Guyanese, whether they were fans of cycling or not, were suitably proud. This was the nature of David's contribution to the nation. (Compiled by Michael DaSilva)