Tour of San Fernando returns

AFTER an absence of five years, the Tour of San Fernando Cycling Classic will return this weekend as a four-stage grind. Leading the revival is one of the sports enduring personalities, Anthony “Bike Doctor” Commissiong whose Sports and Culture Promotions are teaming up with Southampton Wheelers Cycle Club to organise the event. Commissiong said yesterday more than $25,000 will be at stake for the outstanding riders over the two days in the following categories: Tinymites; Juniors and Juveniles; Veterans (40-49); Veterans (50 and Over); Seniors; BMX (Six and Over); BMX (Eight and Over); BMX (Ten and Over); BMX (12 and Over).

The “Bike Doctor” who is based in La Romain said invitations have been sent to junior and senior pedal pushers in St Lucia (two), Barbados (six), Guyana (12), St Vincent (six), Jamaica (three), United States (three), Cayman Islands (two). And among the local riders in the fray are two former Tour of San Fernando winners —- Richard Dickie (1993, 1994 and 1995); and Raymond Newton, of Guyana who captured overall honours in 1992. Commissiong also expressed his appreciation for the assistance given by the sponsors of the event including Soong’s Great Wall Restaurant and Lounge (First Stage); Equipment and Supply WI Limited (Second Stage); Ramasir’s of Cipero Street, Dickie’s Bar and Others (Third Stage) and Bike Inn (Fourth Stage).

In addition, Commissiong said overall awards have been donated by: TECU, Baker Hughes (Trinidad) Limited (Petrolite Division); Lease Operators Limited; Classic Caterers; Trinweld Contracting Services limited; Pollonais Dentistry; Heatwave Cycle Club and Stephen Joseph.
The well-known cycling events organisers said more help is needed to make the effort a great success and welcomed other sponsors to offset the overall expenses associated with the revived Tour of San Fernando. He reminded that the event was sponsored by Complete Computer Systems (CCS) from 1990 to 1998 and was regarded as the top road stage event in the country. This was after Yoplait Yogurt  had pulled out after several years as the race’s main benefactor. First Stage gets underway on Saturday from 7 am and will be a San Fernando Hill Time Trial from Soong’s, Circular Road entrance covering 700 metres.

Stage Two pedals off at 2 pm along a circuit formed by Lady Hailes Avenue, Reinzi Kirton Highway, Independence Avenue, Chancery Lane, King’s Wharf and Lady Hailes Avenue in an anti-clockwise direction. This stage is 18 laps of a 14.6 km circuit totalling 83 kms (50 miles). Stage Three gets underway at 7 am on Sunday along a circuit formed by Cipero Street, Coffee Street, Mon Repos RoundaBout; Cross Crossing Overpass (clockwise director). This is over 14 laps of a 7.2 km course, totalling 64 kms (38 miles). The Fourth Stage wheels off at 2 pm proceeding on a circuit formed by Marabella RoundaBout; Southern Main Road, Marabella; Pointe-a-Pierre Road, St James Street, Quenca Street, Hubert Rance Street, Pointe-a-Pierre Road, Southern Main Road, Marabella, Marabella RoundaBout in a clockwise direction.

This circuit will be contested over nine laps of 7.2 kms each totalling 65 kms (39 miles). Commissiong said BMX riders will have short races in each stage while the Tinymites will ride the full course in the First Stage and then four laps in the other three stages. Veterans Over 50 will compete the full course in the First Stage and then ride six, five and five laps respectively in the subsequent stages. And unregistered riders will compete over two laps in the second, third and fourth stages only. Among the past winners of the Tour of San Fernando are 1990 — Gene Samuel (TT); 1991 — J Webb (Canada); 1992 — R Newton (Guyana); 1993 — R Dickie (TT); 1994 — R Dickie (TT); 1995 — R Dickie (TT); 1996 — E Abraham (TT); 1997 — E Abraham (TT); 1998 — E Abraham (TT).