A total of 250 local, regional and international riders from Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Venezuela, Dominican Republic Colombia, Sweden, Ecuador, Netherlands, Martinique, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Barbados, Cuba, France, Canada, USA, Barbados and host T&T will do battle for the top prizes in the 30th annual Tobago International Cycle Classic (TICC) which starts today.
The opening ceremony will be at the Johnston Apartments, Store Bay at 9 am and expected to attend are Secretary of the Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Huey Cadette, representing the Tobago House of Assembly, Fredrica Brooks-Adams, Director, Division of Tourism and Transportation and Trevor Bailey and vice president of COPACI (Pan American Cycling Federation). Following the opening ceremony the technical briefing for the four-leg stages race will be held ahead of Leg One to get underway at 1.30 pm along the Shirvan Road.
Race chairman Jeff Charles is anticipating keen racing.
"There are several high quality cyclists here. We expected tough competition," said Charles, who is also eager to have the all-women professional team-Team Eleven, comprising from of six riders from Germany and Switzerland. "They contacted me expressing interesting in competing in Tobago. They will compete in the men's Division Two. They even offered to assist in promoting the event to have more ladies competing. In the next two years we may have a full female category. That is something I am interested in having a Division One men and ladies category.
"This may be the start of another era of the Tobago International Cycle Classic. It is a definitely a positive move."
This year's edition will not feature Tobago's own Emile Abraham who is based in Atlanta, Georgia. After announcing his retirement from international competition at the 2015 edition, Abraham has been riding well in the US and was set to compete in front of his home fans but Charles indicated that Abraham was advised by doctors to avoid Zika prone area after his bout with dengue several years ago.
Defending champion Marlo Rodman of Jamaica of Team PSL is back to defend his crown.
Last year, Rodman took the overall title ahead of Norlandy Sanchez (Dom Rep/Team Foundation) and Daren Matthews (BAR/Team Cocos). Varun Maharaj was the top local finisher, placing sixth. Sanchez won Leg One last year ahead of Henser Rodel and Rodman.
Global Sports media house ESPN is again be providing international coverage of the event.
The Second leg is carded for tomorrow at 8.30 am starting along side the YMCA Pool in Courland, Turtle Beach. The Division One riders will do battle over four laps/100km on the Turtle Beach/Les Coteaux, Arnos Vale Curcuit. The Division Two compete ride two laps/50km.