Top cyclists from T&T and around the world can earn UCI (International Cycling Union) points right here in Trinidad at the Easter International Cycling Grand Prix tomorrow and Saturday at the Arima Velodrome, as the event is now UCI sanctioned.
Following track events at the Arima Velodrome from 5 pm on both days, an International Road Cycling Race and Charity Fun Ride will take place on Sunday for endurance riders.
The Fun Ride will pedal off at 6.30 am, while the International Road Cycling Race will begin at 8.30 am. Both races will start in Diego Martin (near KFC) and end in Debe.
Participants in the Charity Fun Ride will be allowed to take breaks along the course.
Yesterday at the event's media conference at Ministry of Tourism, International Waterfront Complex, president of the T&T Cycling Federation Robert Farrier spoke about cyclists earning UCI points at the event.
Farrier said: "We could now afford our riders the opportunity to be world ranked right here. In cycling points say everything, and in this event riders can get points for the international races we have, which is the match sprint, keirin and a scratch race for our endurance riders. Once you participate in the race you get a point."
T&T cyclists have been participating in meets around the world to earn UCI points to qualify for world cycling meets including the Olympic Games. Now, because the event is UCI sanctioned T&T cyclists can earn points at home.
Some of the T&T cyclists expected to compete are Akil Campbell, Jude Codrington, Justin Roberts, Quincy Alexander and Varun Maharajh.
Cyclists from over 15 countries including Venezuela, Colombia, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Netherlands and USA will also take part.
Minister of Tourism Gerald Hadeed spoke about the importance of Sport Tourism.
Hadeed said: "It should come as no surprise that the Government of T&T remains fully supportive of the sporting industry and well recognises the impact that it continues to have on the economy, especially the tourism sector."
Hadeed added: "Government has identified sports tourism as being a strong competitive advantage for T&T given our warm weather climate, quality sporting stadia and other facilities, range of available sporting activities and the strong name recognition of this country's sports ambassadors. Indeed, the new National Cycle Track at Couva, with 2,500 seats in its cycling configuration, will certainly boost our sport tourism thrust.
"It is also my privilege to partner with the Ministry of Sports and the T&T Cycling Federation in the execution of what will surely be an exciting cycling weekend. I encourage all of T&T to come out, in their numbers, to support the Easter Cycling Grand Prix."