Points system for local cyclists

On Thursday night at the Nealco compound, Edward Street, Port-of-Spain the federation’s representative Ronald Dickie Junior assured that the new system will ensure that the naming of the outstanding riders of the year will be a fair process.

The TTCF unveiled their calendar of events for the year as well as a banner which reflected the new federation officers who have been functional for the past eight months.

The season begins tomorrow at King George V Park, St Clair with the staging of the Scott and Cycling Federation Leap from 1 pm when the use of the points system will be effected. According to Dickie, competition will take place every weekend until the end of the year and the points system will be used at all of them.

Dickie said in the new system, the top six senior cyclists will be given points in the sprint races.

The winners will receive 12 points and the runners-up will be given nine, which will go towards their total at the end of the season.

The third, fourth, fifth and sixth place riders will receive eight, seven, six and five points respectively.

Dickie said the juniors will collect five, three, two and one point respectively for the first four places. The top four veterans including the Over-40, 50 and 60 cyclists will also be given points in the new system.

For years, local cyclists were at a disadvantage on the naming of the outstanding rider since they were only judged on their performances in domestic competitions.

Dickie said however that cyclists who ride overseas will have to undergo a test and their times will be matched with local riders before selection of the top pedal pushers can be named. The point system will only be used for competitions involving local riders only. Dickie said competitions such as the Beacon sponsored West Indies versus the World Cycling Series and other international events will not have points at stake.

Last year Azikwe Kellar got the nod as the country’s top cyclist after competing overseas only. Kellar was also selected as the nation’s nominee for the upcoming First Citizens Bank (FCB) Sports Foundation Awards. But Elijah Green was adjudged the top local cyclist.

Roxanne Chapman, the TTCF’s Public Relation’s Officer said they look forward to bringing back the popular Easter Cycling Grand Prix which is carded for April 14, 15 and 16.

She said the Grand Prix has been a popular event on the cycling calendar and the fraternity will welcome its return.

Frank Gittens, the TTCFs president said that only the road race champion Emile Abraham will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the coming Commonwealth Games carded for March 15-20. He said he will accompany Abraham at the Games in Melbourne, Australia.

Plans are also underway for the federation to honour several top former cyclists among them Roger Gibbon and Compton Gonsalves.