Beacon cycling live on TV

in recent times the event began with the customary race around the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port- of-Spain at 8 pm.

But according to Ronald Dickie one the race organisers, the event will begin and end with a Savannah race on April 26 and May 6.

The series which has become a fixture on the cycling calendar, will pedal off with a testing 14-lap race and will conclude with a similar contest at the Savannah.

According to Dickie, prizes and incentives valued at $40,000 will be distributed to the outstanding riders.

Michael Phillips, the event promoter and chief organiser said for the first time races will be televised live on NCC Channel Four. But television coverage will be for events at the Arima Velodrome only.

Following the opening Savannah race, the focus will be shifted to the Velodrome with 22 track events on each day, during the weekend of April 28, 29 and 30.

The cyclists will then make the trip to the sister isle where the competition will be at the Market Square from 2 — a challenging 40-lap sprint on Wednesday, May 3.

Phillips also said the National Aids Coordinating Committee (NACC) has also agreed to fund a number of big screen televisions which will be set up at different venues for the event.

As usual, a number of high profile international cyclists from all over the world have already booked their tickets to compete here. Among them will be the European sprint champion Marco Jader of Germany.

He is expected to be joined by Johnny Norfolk of England and Sebastien Donadio of Argentina.

Last year both cyclists were rewarded for excellent performances by being named the two top international riders.

The international team will also have the support of Italy’s Roberto Chiapa who also performed with distinction last year. The regional team is expected to comprise the top local road race rider Emile Abraham and the leading sprinter Elijah Greene.

Eight other riders will be named from Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on the team.

The eight cyclists will be announced at a launch at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, on April 24.