THE Castries city circuit will play host to the Saint Lucia Cycling Association’s Criterium Cycling Classic from 1.00 p.m. tomorrow as part of Saint Lucia 39th Independence anniversary.
The Independence Day Classic and the National Day City Circuit dubbed “Ovaltine Road Race” was at one time the hallmark of cycling in Saint Lucia, attracting record crowds and with a number of sporting disciplines staging events on the same day. The SLCA is keeping their fingers crossed that the public will come out and support the event.
Some of the big names participating are Saint Lucia’s representative at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas, Kluivert Mitchel, along with Jessie Mentor, Quami Robinson and Dave Charlery.
The experienced Winston Williams, along with Jordan Richard, will represent Excellers of La Clery.
The return of national cyclist Kurt Maraj to competitive cycling will add some much-needed flavour. Maraj will be representing Project Breakaway. He will have with him Kenneth Mathurin and Gillan Moses to do battle for Project Breakaway.
Also in the mix will be AlvinusMondesir, Jordan John and Joshua Prince of Dennery Valley; while 2016 Cyclist of the Year Antinous Chad Jn. Baptiste and Donald Joseph will want nothing less than a win for Rocket Riders of Dennery.
Nine events are on the afternoon card. The showpiece will commence with the BMX 14 and under 1 lap, followed by the MTB 14 and under 3 laps at 1:20 p.m.
At 1:40 p.m., it’s the turn of the Road Bikes 14 and under 5 laps, followed by the Juniors/Juveniles Road 10 laps at 2:10 p.m.
The Masters 45 plus will also be in the thick of things as they will compete in a road bike 10 laps event at 2:45 p.m. and to cool things off just ahead of the 30 laps Open, the BMX riders will battle it out in an Open 1 lap event at 3:15 p.m.
From 3:30 p.m., all eyes will be looking in the distance for the Big Guns in local cycling as they will face each other in a 30 lap Open Road Bike with a Prime (Sprint Prize every two laps), following which will see competitors in the MTB Open 5 laps at 4:30 p.m.
To bring the curtains down before fading light, will be the Elimination Road Race scheduled at 5:00 p.m. where every two laps the last rider to cross the start/ finish line in front of the Castries Market is called out.
