Elite cyclists for Tobago Classic

The Cycling Classic will feature action in the premier Division I as well as Divisions I and II with participants from Germany, Austria, Kazakhstan, Holland, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Namibia, Australia, Columbia and the Caribbean. The five stages will carry participants throughout scenic Tobago with some breathtaking views and testing terrain along the way as well as spectator friendly courses.

With the success of past events, it is no surprise that the Cycling Classic has attracted the attention of the UCI, cycling’s world governing body. Officials of UCI will be participating in this year’s event to review and evaluate the race.

Organisers are confident that the meet will get the nod of approval from the officials, paving the way for it to be registered and sanctioned as a UCI branded international road race in 2011. This endorsement will be a significant achievement for Caribbean cycling as cyclists and teams can achieve UCI points to improve their ranking which will boost their chances of qualifying for the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and most importantly Olympics.

A UCI event will undoubtedly attract worldwide attention from all major cycling federations and can be a great means of sparking sport tourism in TT.

“At a time when some traditional tourism trends are in decline, sport tourism continues to flourish and is set to grow exponentially in the next decade,” organisers said.

“The event is a prime catalyst to position Tobago within this lucrative sport tourism market. This effort will be futile without the full support of the sport and tourism state agencies and other stakeholders”.

The Cycling Classic is approaching 30 years of existence and has developed to be one of the premier five stage events in the Caribbean and organisers are keen on enhancing the meet to international standards and making Tobago the sport tourism capital of the region. Organisers of the Cycling Classic wish to thank their sponsors which include Amstel Bright, CCN TV6, NLCB, British Airways, Hadco Ltd, Vita Malt, Powerade, Dasani Water, Condor Airlines, Jade Distributors Ltd, Tobago House of Assembly, Tourism Development Company, Econo Car Rentals, Procare Ltd, Neal and Massy Motors, Johnston Apartments, Crown Point Beach Hotel and Bamboo Walk Hotel.

Stage one 120km (September 29) — Starts at Lowlands Mall to Claude Noel Highway, left on Auchenskeoch Road to Buccoo Junction and finishing at lowlands Mall.

Stage two Time Trial 12 km (September 30) — Starts on Shirvan Road, left on Claude Noel Highway, left on Auchenskeoch Road to Carnbee then to Buccoo Junction and finishing on Shirvan Road.

Stage three 100km (September 30) — Start at Lowlands Mall to Claude Noel Highway, left at Mt Marie Junction then to Whim, left on Plymouth Road to Turtle Beach, back to Buccoo Junction and finish at Lowlands Mall.

Stage four 135km (October 2) - Start as Ashore Court on Milford Road, left at Mt Marie Road to Claude Noel Highway, left on Milford Road into Lambeau, left on Old Milford Road to Shaw Park, right on Orange Hill Road and finish at Ashore Court.

Stage five 120 km (October 3) — Start at Crown Point on Milford Main Road, east on Claude Noel Highway to Scarborough, then proceed to Mason Hall, Moriah, Castara, Palatuvier, Bloody Bay, Man of War Bay, Charlotteville, Speyside, Bacolet and back to Crown Point.