Defending champion Phillip Clarke of Barbados is eyeing another podium finish when the Michael Phillips Republic Day Cycling Classic pedals off around Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair on Thursday.
Clarke, who represents local cycling club Heatwave, won the 30-lap main event for elite and invitational riders last year after storming to the front in the final lap. Clarke finished ahead of three Team Foundation cyclists in Rafael Meran (Dominican Republic), Taveras Sanchez (Dominican Republic) and Adam Alexander (T&T).
At the event's press conference on Wednesday at Mike's Bikes on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, Clarke recalled his experience last year. Clarke stated: "I am happy to be here again. My win was very impressive last year. I was actually sick with Chik V two weeks before the race so the victory came as a surprise to me. It was a win I will cherish for a very long time.
Clarke added: "Hopefully this year I will have an opportunity to be on the podium again, even if it is not winning but at least finish in the top three."The defending champion said he was confident he could make a late surge again, but does not want to wait so late to make his move.Clarke said his team Heatwave helped him win the title last year.
Clarke believes the Team Foundation cyclists will pose the biggest threat, naming Adam Alexander, Joshua Alexander and Meran as some of the riders to look out for. The Heatwave cyclist also stated that if European cyclists compete they will make it a challenge.Clarke, who has been one of the top endurance riders on the local circuit said, "I like racing in Trinidad because you always have international riders coming here and the cycling here is always competitive."
The event programme will include masters, ladies, tinymites, juniors, juveniles and youth development riders. The first race will begin at 2 pm, while all eyes will be on the main event from approximately 4.40 pm, which will bring an end to the day's racing. Clubs can register their cyclists by logging into the T&T Cycling Federation (TTCF) website at ttcyclingfederation.org with sign in and payment on race day from 12.30 pm–1.30 pm. There is a separate registration form on the TTCF website for international cyclists.
Registration costs $60, but youth development riders only pay $20.