Abraham braces for tough test

DEFENDING champion Emile Abraham yesterday said that retaining the 2003 Tobago International Cycling Classic crown next week will be more difficult than last year. Abraham, Trinidad and Tobago’s most accomplished road rider said changes to the route in the five-stage event will prove to be the biggest hurdle to him coming out on top. He made the comments yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain when Trinbago Wheelers launched the race in the office of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board. However the challenge will be taken up by the newly crowned road race champion who will spend the next week with his father in Tobago training and getting used to the new course.

“The only stage that stays unchanged is the last event, the Tour of Tobago. And I am certain that the penultimate race, a 150-km grind will give a useful indicator of who will emerge winner,” said Abraham yesterday. The Tobago rider goes into the event as a strong favourite after two consecutive victories in a stage event in the USA where he campaigns and last Sunday’s National Road Race Championship in La Romain, San Fernando. However he is not expected to have things all his way judging from the line-up of foreign teams who have confirmed their participation which yesterday numbered 20. Jeffrey Charles, organiser of the classic for the tenth consecutive year yesterday was flanked at the head table by Bryan Charles, vice president of the Tourism and Industrial Development Company (TIDCO) and Robert Camps, former national road champion who is the Race Chairman.

Jeffrey Charles said when he embraced the opportunity to organise the event ten years ago he only wished to make the event more attractive for both local and overseas riders. He said judging from the response of pedal pushers over the years he is satisfied that his mission was a success with at least 100 international cyclists expected for the event this year from September 18 to 21. He said that TIDCO and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) are the primary sponsors of the classic. Also making valuable inputs are Newsday who are sponsoring the second stage, an 18-kilometre road race on Friday, September 19. The other stages are sponsored by Peake Industries, Beacon Insurance, Polar Ice Beer and Vita Malt.

Charles said $50,000 will be offered in prize money for the sucessful riders which reflects an increase from last year. Bryan Charles, the TIDCO official said the event presents another oportunity to get involved in their latest thrust to promote sports tourism and that they are working closely with state-owned airline BWIA to offer attractive travel packages to cyclists. He said research by TIDCO representatives in Europe, Latin America and Canada has shown that TT is yet to maximise the potential benefits in this area where there is a strong interest for athletes to set up training camps in Trinidad and Tobago. Bryan Charles said TIDCO will be doing their part in promoting the cycling classic on their website and stressed their continued commitment to making the $300,000 race a success.

Camps said the changes made to the course will offer more challenges to the riders and will also course through many villages in the sister isle which would not normally get a chance to be involved in the classic. He also announced that apart from the main event in the International and Open Categories there will also be a parallel classic for Veterans, Juniors and Women, over three stages. Unregistered bikers, in the Under-35 and Over-35 Categories; and Tinymites Under-16 will also bid for honours over three stages. It was also revealed that for the first time there will be a International Women’s event which has so far attracted seven competitiors with Trinidad-based Dutchwoman Ruth Hessells the favourite after her resounding victory last Sunday as a guest rider in the National Championship Veterans event. Camps also anounced that Simon Spicer has been appointed Chief Commissar while Ivan Charles will be his assistant. A highlight of yesterday’s function was the presentation of a special award for “Ian “Pretty” Charles for his commitment and dedication to participating in the classic over the years.