THE St. Lucia Cycling Association heads to Vieux Fort tomorrow for the staging of the 2016 National Road Race Cycling Championship.
The gruelling event is scheduled to start from 8:00 a.m. on the Vieux Fort – Laborie Highway near Courts and the Bus Terminal.
According to the organizers the riders will then proceed to the Vieux Fort / La Resource Circuit in an anti-clockwise direction. Juveniles and riders 50 plus will cover 62 kilometres (5 Laps); while the juniors and seniors will cover 112 kilometres(9 Laps).
President of the SLCA Cyril Mangal said; “Fidel Esnard, the 2015 champion will have a tough time defending his title against the likes of Antinous Jn Baptiste and Pius Alphonse of Dennery, the experienced Winston Williams of Excellers, Eustace Dookie, independent rider and Kenneth Mathurin, who are expected to put up a stiff challenge for the title”.
Mangal noted,that in the Junior category, Andrew Norbert appears to be a clear favourite. However, it will not be without a fight from Dave Charlery, Joel Mentor and Romueos Noel, the 2015 defending champion from Mon Repos, while the pair of Calixte Williams and Josiah Murrel representing Excellers will be keeping a close watch for a podium call as well.
In the Juvenile category, the likes of Kluivert Mitchel, Jesse Mentor of Mon Repos, Sherkel Aubert and Ken Eugene of Excellers are among the favourites vying for that title, while veteran Raymond Volney seems to be a clear favourite for the 50 plus category.