San Fernando Cycling rides off today

The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TT CF), along with the Rigtech Sonics Cycling Club (RSCC) and the Siparia Regional Corporation, were initially trying to prepare the Irwin Park Sporting Facility’s Cycling Track in Siparia for the event. However, a unanimous decision was made not to use the facility due to a safety concerns surrounding the track.

Speaking at the official media launch for the Cycling Extravaganza, held at the San Fernando City Corporation’s Auditorium yesterday, vice president of RSCC Roger Frontin elaborated on the decision and some of the implementations made to facilitate the track events.

Frontin stated, “The primary safety concern existed with the barriers located on the outside perimeter of the track needing to be adjusted for the riders’ safety and, upon inspection, we realise the project was semi-complete and would not be sufficiently safe for the athletes in time.” He continued, “However, we return to ‘the good old faithful’ Skinner’s Park as minor preparations, such as washing and painting of the tracks, are ongoing and are on schedule for a magnificent cycling experience.” The four-day cycling weekend features track races in Skinner’s Park (beginning today), followed by the Petrotrin, TECU Credit Union and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs- sponsored road racing event (as part of the cycling criterion for the 2017 Southern Games) which will take place tomorrow at 7 pm, in front of Awardy’s Hardware in Marabella.

On Saturday, races would return to the track in Skinner’s Park and all cyclists will be heading to Guaracara Park in Pointe-a- Pierre for the main day of Southern Games on Sunday, for the highly anticipated ‘cycling on the greens’ set to commence at 1 pm.

Under the auspices of the Mayor of San Fernando Junia Regrello, in collaboration with Rigtech Sonics Cycling Club, the cycling events are geared towards youth development and re-stimulating affection for the beloved sport of cycling in the south land as the exciting race competitions include riders between the ages of five and 75.

The TT CF expressed their gratitude towards the city of San Fernando and the RSCC for taking the initiative to support the development of cycling through hosting such events to generate community building activities for the public Registration fees for cyclists are set at $40 while admission for the events, except the road racing, are $30 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12.