Cycling Classic gets underway

The event is organised by Southampton Wheelers Cycle Club, an un- sponsored club that has been active since 1954.

The cycling classic, one of the most significant locally and the Southern Caribbean, attracts cyclists from Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent, Barbados, Grenada and Guyana and promises to be even better this year with the inclusion of additional riders from the USA and Canada.

Similar to the last two years, the race will be electronically timed using the services of Jason Gooding’s Odessey Timing Company. Competition will be provided for the full range of cyclists ranging from the young BMXers to the Masters 60 Plus. Because of the success of the event over the years, the club was the recipient of an award for its contribution to the development of sport from the San Fernando City Corporation at their annual Interfaith Service and Awards Function last year.

Sponsorship for the Tour this year has been particularly challenging because of the economic situation in the country and the club is extremely grateful to Bike Inn, Petrotrin Ltd., TTEC, National Lotteries Control Board, Compression and Power Services (1988) Ltd., Illuminat Trinidad and Tobago Ltd, Vemco (Gatorade), Blue Waters and Southern Guest House for helping to make the race a reality this year.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation, under new president Robert Farrier, has been particularly supportive of the event.

The Tour this year opens under lights at 7 pm on Friday on the Rienzi Kirton Highway, part of which is being closed to traffic to facilitate the race.

The first stage will be Criterium racing with the second stage being an individual Time-Trial at 7 am on Saturday at the San Fernando Hill. Stage Three will be a Road Race from Pointe-a-Pierre to Tabaquite, Brasso, Gran Couva, and back to Pointe-a-Pierre, starting at 1 pm on Saturday evening. Stage Four will be a Road Race from San Fernando to Point Fortin and back, starting in front of City Hall, Harris Promenade at 7 am on Sunday.

As in the past, the Southampton Club is expecting Mayor of San Fernando Kenneth Ferguson to launch the event and to start the first and last stages.

Last year the winner of the event was Marlon Williams (Jamaica – Rafmon Mecalfab Heatwave) who finished in 5:08:12.4 being closely followed by Tyrone Thomas (Grenada – Southampton Wheelers) in 5:08:53.9.

Stiff competition is expected this year from other Caribbean and local riders as well as the visiting North Americans, particularly Ryan Parnes. Top competiting clubs and riders this year will include:

Team Trek: Colin Wilson, Gevan Samuel, Gene Samuel, (Trinidad and Tobago), Warren Mckay, (Guyana), Linford Blackwood, Dean Martin, O’neal Samuels, (Jamaica).

Rafmon-Mecalfab Heatwave: David Alves, Ronnie Moses, Glen Whiby (Trinidad and Tobago), Marloe Rodman (Jamaica), Jude Bentley (Guyana).

Rigtech Sonics: Mark Codrington, Njisane Phillip, Rudy Ashton, Ancil Roberts, Orlando Frontin (Trinidad and Tobago).

Madonna Wheelers: Varun Maharaj, Shannon Metivier, Roger Smart (Trinidad and Tobago).

Team Foundation: Joshua and Adam Alexander (Trinidad and Tobago), Lisbon Quintero (USA), Jasette Bromfield (Jamaica).

Team EXUSTAR: Ryan Parnes (USA); Daniele De Franceshi, Jean Micheal La Chance (Canada); Director – Roger Farrell.

Samuels and Martin of Jamaica and members of Team Trek were first and third respectively in the recently concluded Tour of Jamaica. Other top riders are also expected from Guyana, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada and they are expected to raise the level of competition in the event.