Two Tour of TT stages cancelled

The opening stage, which was scheduled to be contested from 9.30am yesterday, was cancelled at the last minute. This leg of the six-stage race, an individual time trial, was due to pedal off from the scenic Maracas Beach to the Maracas lookout.

However, several international cyclists who flew to the twin-islands for this specific race and many other locals, were left disappointed with yesterday’s situation as rumours swirled that more stages would not take place.

Yesterday, local cycling club Rigtech Sonics stepped in and injected funds into several stages of the Tour to ensure the riders would get a chance to compete at last night’s event, the Dash Circuit Race (stage two) at King George V Park in St Clair.

Meanwhile, stage six, scheduled for Sunday, and considered to be one of the major legs of ths event, has also been thrown off the programme due to similar financial difficulties.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) has quietly distanced themselves from the problem since they are not the organisation in charge of hosting this annual event. Several international riders have been flown in for this meet and are unsure of their participation due to these financial issues.

However, the local cycling fraternity is determined to ensure that no more stages get cancelled and have asked other local cycling clubs to come on board and help offset some of the costs. So far, Sonics, Slipstrem, Team Trek and a couple other clubs have also chipped in.

Today will see stage three pedal off, the Pace and Gas Circuit Race in Point Fortin, sponsored by Atlantic, and tomorrow features the Speed and Steel Circuit Race (stage four) at the Rienzi Kirton Highway, San Fernando, sponsored by Petrotrin.

Stage Five is still expected to be on course and begins on Saturday — the Rhythm and Ride Road Race — starting in Port-of-Spain, heading East through Arima and to Mayaro and concluding in San Fernando.