Tobago Cycling on world stage

Now the platform is set for the biggest ever staging of this world class sporting event in Tobago.

Our planning is already set in motion to take this positive momentum into the 2008 version of the region’s Premier International Cycling Event.

The cycling classic organised by Jeffrey Charles and the Tobago Wheelers Cycle Club continues to attract large contingents of international teams, cyclists, journalists and fans from Europe, Australia, North America, South America and the Caribbean.

In just over two decades the Tobago International Cycling Classic has moved from a one-day road race among local cyclists to being an established international cycling event over four days comprising five stage races.

Last year a record number of 75 international and regional competitors from 12 countries challenged the best of the Caribbean. Among them were Olympic champions, world title-holders and professionals of Tour de France fame.

The cycling pedigree on show was unprecedented in the history of road cycling in the Caribbean. Little wonder that the popularity of this event continues to endear itself on the local and Caribbean sporting communities.

In fact this endurance event is now being regarded as the “Tour de France of the Caribbean”.

Over the years the Tobago Cycling Classic has unearthed a great deal of local talent, chief among those is the Caribbean’s most successful and dominant Road Race Champion of all times.

He is Tobago’s own Emile Abraham, who created history for TT in 2007 when he earned a Silver Medal at the Pan American Games, becoming the first road cyclist in the Caribbean to do so.

What made this even more significant was that cycling achieved the highest award among all TT sporting disciplines at these Games. Cycling is now more visible to a larger audience from TT, throughout the Caribbean and internationally.

In the quest to stay ahead of the game and position the Tobago Cycling Classic among the best international road stage races on the International Cycling Calendar, a new and dynamic Stage 5 was introduced 2007— The Tour of Tobago.

After years of the same tested and tried course that had become the hallmark of the Tobago Cycling Classic, the organising committee decided to change gear in midstream. Described by some as the “Beauty and the Beast” this stage was facilitated by the opening of the much anticipated New Link Road from Bloody Bay to L’Anse Fourmi then on to Charlotteville and Speyside.

It is an awesome strip with a series of brutal climbs, undulating through the lush green rainforest reserve on one side and a steep decline down to the blue Caribbean Sea on the other side,

In the past, local and foreign foreign riders were intrigued by the sun, sea and lush greenery that Tobago adds to the event year after year, but this new piece of roadway is the icing on the cake.

It takes “Stage Five” to a whole new dimension for the cycling classic and has been able to stimulate much interest with the top Pro Teams from around the world.

It also allows cyclists to circumnavigate the island, point-to-point, coast to coast, in a race that seriously challenged the body but satisfied the mind.

This New Cycling Course was given a 5 Star Rating by all of our experienced international competitors, some openly expressing that it was indeed the best road race course they had encountered.

The execution of the event is good and improving every year. Competitors are the organisers’ top priority and every precaution is taken to ensure their comfort and safety while in Tobago.

For Caribbean cyclists, the event provides a platform for them to compete against some of the world’s best athletes, and interact with experienced coaches and managers. It also helps them gain valuable international exposure, make new friends and develop a networking of contacts in pursuit of international contracts.

As has been customary over the years the “Cycling Classic Village” will be located at Crown Point Beach Hotel and Johnston Apartments Compound. It is a point where a melting pot of cultures exists over seven days. Relations are formed, nurtured and strengthened. Cyclists, supporters, sponsors, officials, media and friends share ideas in an atmosphere that facilitates friendship and lighthearted conversations.

In recent years, contacts have been developed with many international cycling and sports associations, professional cycling clubs and the cream of the international sports media.

The Tobago Cycling Classic now enjoys a stream of intricate networking systems through our website www.trinbagowheelers.com with many sporting and media web-based organisations with a massive readership worldwide.

In short, the organisers now have the capacity, stature and competence to take this event to the next level. It can now put into effect, repositioning and re-branding of Tobago as the premier bastion of sports tourism in the region.

The plan is to heighten the profile and increase the appeal of the Tobago International Cycling Classic to a wider international audience. To facilitate this, the organisers are seeking to up the ante and are moving this year towards collaboration with major players and stakeholders. It proposes to invite a number of entities on board bringing Tobago’s culture more into the forefront.

The organisers believe that with the support of the major interest groups this formidable product can be developed along lines that support and complement sport development and a healthy lifestyle in Trinidad and Tobago. As the organisers look ahead to the Tobago Cycling Classic carded for September 24 to 29 with great anticipation, they are inviting all to partner with them and showcase the Tobago International Cycling Classic and the beautiful island of Tobago to the rest of the world.