Andrew Ordonez

Ordonez rode his first Cross Country race in 1980 and he placed 21st. He rode three more consecutive Cross Country races and he placed 16th, 10th and 11th, respectively.

Ordonez rode his last Cross Country race in 1989, for the team Belikin, one year after he opened his bicycle shop, and he placed 25th. He then quit riding Cross country races because he had gotten married and began raising a family.

But although he was not participating in Cross Country races, Ordonez still took part in over 35 Santino’s non-elite races in 2005 for which the maximum distance was 60 miles and dominated them, always coming in among the first five.

Ordonez now concentrated on repairing bicycles and fine tuning them for cyclists. In that regard he has become a well known person and his bicycle shop have become a regular meeting place for cyclists, especially around that time when the Holy Saturday Cross Country race is near.

“Cyclists come her to argue and discuss strategy besides coming to get their bicycles repaired and fine tuned”, said Ordonez.

Ordonez has become such an adept bicycle repairman that he can set up a new bicycle that is in parts within 15 minutes.

His skill at setting up bicycles was well noted when he visited a bike shop in Florida in 1996 when he was on vacation. He offered to help set up bicycle and he did so quickly he was offered a job. But he turned down the offer and returned home.

But while having a top of the line bicycle is good, Ordonez warns that in races 90% of the success should be attributed to the individual.

“It is not the kind of bike you have, it is how well you can ride”, he said.

As an example he cited the year 1999 when some Cuban cyclists came to Belize and used bicycles that were not of the best quality, but they beat our cyclists in all the races in which they participated.

Ordonez is a health and fitness buff and believes that being fit and healthy is the key to good living.

“No matte how wealthy you are if you are not healthy then you are not enjoying life”, he pointed out.

He added that people should take time out to exercise even if they do it at home.

He also believes that good health comes from eating the right kind of food such as fruits and vegetables.

“I think a healthy lifestyle is something we should try and instill in our children”, he said.

Ordonez and his wife, Debbie are the parents of 3 sons – Alexi, 21, Deandy, 20 and Jorgen, 19.

Deandy is a cyclist for the team, Acros Guinness. He will ride in his first Cross Country race next year.