Cycling Classic begins in sister isle

Following the four-stage series, the TICC will culminate on Sunday with the UCI 1.2 Tour of Tobago Road Race (120km) which will begin at 7.30 am. The first leg will get underway today from 1.30 pm with the Shirvan/Carnbee/Buccoo Circuit. The division one riders will complete 120km over 10 laps, while the division two riders will attempt 60km over five laps.

Prior to the start of the first leg, the opening ceremony will take place at the TICC Cycling Village at Johnstons Apartments at Store Bay, Crown Point, from 9 am.

Over 300 top riders from Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Colombia and the Caribbean will take over a number of streets and villages in Tobago, seeking to master the local conditions along some of the most scenic terrain known to the cycling world. Defending UCI Tour of Tobago champion Adderlyn Cruz from Dominican Republic and defending four-stage winner Marloe Rodman of Jamaica will both compete again this year.

National cyclist Emile Abraham, who announced his retirement from international cycling after the 2015 TICC, was carded to participate in the four-stage series but unfortunately cannot compete again.

Race Director Jeff Charles said, “Emile was coming this year, but if you remember Emile had a bout of dengue a few years ago that almost killed him. He was advised that with the Zika outbreak in TT right now, it may not be the best time to go down (and compete). Emile only decided a week and a half ago not to come again.” The second leg is carded for tomorrow at 8.30 am starting alongside the YMCA Pool in Courland, Turtle Beach. The division one riders will do battle over four laps/100km on the Turtle Beach/ Les Coteaux/Arnos Vale Circuit.

The division two riders will ride two laps/50km.

Leg three is the Plymouth Village Criterium starting on Shelbourne Street in Plymouth on Friday with a 50 laps/65km race for division one riders and a 20 laps/26km race for division two. The division three and novice riders will compete over five laps/7km.

The fourth and final leg is the Market Square Criterium at Wilson Road in Scarborough on Saturday.

Division one will battle over 60 laps/60km, division two over 20 laps/20km and division three/novices will pedal over five laps/5km.

A three-stage Mountain Bike Classic will also take place during the TICC, along with a Classic Kids Cycling Festival. The Prize-giving Presentation and Farewell Lime will take place from 4 pm at Johnstons Apartments on Sunday.