Cyclists Set – By Neto Baptiste
Cyclists Set Taste Planned
Cyclists will have an opportunity to compete on the route earmarked to host next month’s OECS Cycling Championships when they participate in Sunday’s 44 miles Criterium.
This is according to the President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Federation (ABCF), St. Clair Williams, who said riders will complete four laps on the course mapped out for Sunday’s event which starts and end on Old Parham Road.
“We’re going to try and assimilate the OECS Championship, so we’re going to put it on our national road race circuit, which starts on Old Parham Road; then we’re going to venture out to Airport Road, go through Coolidge, Hodges Bay, Cedar Grove. We’re going to make a left onto Friars Hill Road, come right into town, then make a left by YMCA, back onto Old Parham Road, and head back to the start-finish line. That start-finish line will be just in front of the INET/Kentucky building up on Old Parham Road,” he said.
Williams is hoping that local cyclists cease the opportunity to get a feel for the course ahead of the regional meet set for the end of next month. He also noted that the OECS meet will be held alongside another popular cycling event.
“We’re going to have that as a test for all our cyclists that will be competing in the OECS. It’s going to be a big race and it’s going to be on May 31st — which is the OECS championship — and it will be along with the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union Invitational Race, so it’s one big race put together.
“Hopefully, we’re going to see all our cyclists coming out and whichever race you’re going to compete in have a good showing but looking forward to see what the guys will do on the circuit coming up this weekend,” he said.
Meanwhile, the cycling boss said he anticipates that the top cyclists across the OECS will compete in this year’s event.
“We’re gonna have St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Anguilla, Dominica — the entire OECS will be here in Antigua for that race, May the 31st, and we’re ready and we’re preparing.
“I see the guys out there, they’re putting in the miles, so we’re hoping to see a very good race coming up on the 31st of May. So we’re testing the guys, we’re doing four laps. The next one will be five laps so we’re testing as much as we can so the guys can assimilate and get accustomed to the route,” Williams said.
Sunday’s race is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $20 for members and $50 for non-members. Registration opens at 7:45 a.m. and closes at 8:45 a.m.
