Cyclists bid for Gold Cup

Close to three decades ago he introduced BMX competition on the local cycling calendar and this has served over the years as a springboard for future national stars.

Commissiong, also known as “The Bike Doctor” who is based in La Romain, south Trinidad is still committed to building the foundation of cycling.

He says that cycling in the Caribbean is generally of a low standard except perhaps for the success of Barbadian Barry Forde who has done well on the international track.

Commissiong said that one of the reasons for the decline in standards has been the cancellation of the CARIFTA Championships.

“These regional competitions for our future cyclists are lacking,” Commissiong said.

Now he is at the forefront of resuscitating inter-regional cycling especially at the junior level to spur interest and create future track and road stars.

Commissiong is at the head of the Junior Caribbean Gold Cup which will be staged mainly at the Arima Municipal Velodrome, a concrete banked track from July 25 to 30.

The track events will be contested at Arima while a ten-kilometre road time trial will be staged at Wallerfield. Plans are also afoot for a cricuit race around the Arima Municipal Velodrome but the distance is yet to be confirmed.

Commissiong said yesterday that 15 Caribbean countries have been invited to participate in the Junior Caribbean Gold Cup and seven have committed with Barbados expected to send a 20-rider contingent of BMX and regular cyclists.

In the BMX category, riders must be between the ages of five and 14; Juveniles 13 to 14 years-of-age; and Juniors 17 to 18 years. The competition is open for both male and females.

Commissiong expressed his appreciation to generous sponsors who have come forward to make the Caribbean Junior Gold Cup a success.

Among them are the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, The Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Petrotrin and the Bike Inn.

He also gave a resounding thumbs up to the new executive of the Cycling Federation of Trinidad and Tobago who he said are doing their best to promote the sport. ‘They have been very active staging races and keeping the riders involved and are poised to do much more. They deserve our encouragement and assistance in every way,” said Commissiong. He was also full of praise for the work being done by former national track cycling star Michael Phillips whose private company, Phillips Promotions is also involved in staging cycling events.

“Michael must also take a lot of credit for working hard to keep the sport alive. He is also doing much and has a lot more to accomplish,” said Commissiong.

Regarding the Caribean Junior Gold Cup, Commissiong said that six cyclists per country will be allowed for each event and there will be mass start races in all categories including BMX each day. Also BMX racers will be allowed to compete in the circuit race.

Caribbean Junior Gold Cup Programme —

Venue: Arima Municipal Velodrome

On Tuesday — 200m Match Sprint Qualifiers (200m); 500m Individual time Trials, 200m Match Sprint Quarter-finals, 5.30 pm

On Wednesday — Match Sprint Semi-finals, Finals; 5-Lap Keirin for Juniors, Juveniles; Olympic Sprint (Open), 5.30 pm

On Thursday— Individual Pursuit for Tinymites, Juveniles (2000m), Juniors 3,000m; Points Race (Tinymites 20-Laps, Juveniles 25-Laps, Juniors 35-Laps), 5.30 pm

On Friday — Venue: Skinner Park, San Fernando

BMX Events, 6.30 pm

On Saturday — Road Events — ten-km Individual Time Trial, 7 am

On Sunday — Circuit race around the Arima Municipal Velodrome (Distance to be announced).