He's 26 years old, born in London, and up to now Red Walters wouldn't make headlines. Today, however, we'll see him on the starting line in Kigali wearing the colors of Grenada, a tiny Caribbean state that we discover, with Wikipedia's help, is located between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. Red is posting on social media about his experience as an unsupported rider, a term now in vogue to describe those who participate in races without any assistance. Are we actually talking about one of the "Isolated" riders, a figure that takes us back to a time a hundred years ago in cycling history?

In the story shared by the athlete on his profiles, he starts from the first moments after landing in Kigali, until reaching the hotel that has nothing in common with the five-star chains of major teams. Well, when it comes to reviewing one's expenses, it's acceptable to lower expectations in terms of hotel quality, which is still relatively high in Rwanda. "The time trial day had a special flavor when I autonomously started to put 220 grams of carbohydrates into the engine. In the previous days, I had participated in technical meetings and bike checks. When I went out for training, it took just 4 km to realize I had chosen the wrong gear ratio! An unexpected challenge not easy to overcome". And how was the emergency resolved? "Fortunately, I was lent a new sprocket set".

Let's take a step back to early September, when the UCI Wild Card arrived, but without materializing the federal funding request. And so, even 3000 Instagram followers, hoping to reach 5000, are a good way to contribute to travel expenses, also guaranteed by the help of Van Rysel and 360 as sponsors: "Everything helps," explains the guy, son of an English father and a mother originally from Grenada, from which he obtained nationality in 2021. "Okay, racing for this small nation has opened doors for me, but above all, I feel a strong sense of belonging".

Walters' time trial, who still lives in London and is also a Pan-American road vice-champion, was more than flattering, finishing 32nd at 10'06" from Evenepoel. The Caribbean rider concludes: "I found the drum accompaniment inside the Bk Arena engaging. Everything went well, despite the altitude factor's impact". At the end of the race, he took his bike and backpack and pedaled to the hotel where his wife and children were waiting. As a true influencer, his account doesn't lack a culinary reference, both playful and spot-on: "My real glycogen tent was the peanut stew dinner with rice on the side". Good race and bon appétit for this evening too.

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