By WALTER ALIBEY Thursday, October 2 2008

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ORGANISERS of the just concluded Tobago International Cycle Classic claimed it has been a resounding success.

Race co-ordinator Jeffrey Charles made the claim yesterday and issued a call for more international events like the Tobago International Cycle Classic to be held in the Caribbean if we are to assist the development of the sport in Trinidad and Tobago as well as the region.

According to Charles, local cyclists have to wait too long for an event of the magnitude of the classic. “After the Tobago International Cycle Classic, local riders have to wait until later this month for an opportunity to compete against top class international cyclists,” said Charles.

He pointed out that while there are the different tours through Trinidad and Tobago, such as the Tour of San Fernando and the Tour of Trinidad among others, it does not carry the level of competition as the Tobago International Cycle Classic.

He feels that no matter where races are held, whether it be in Jamaica, Guyana or Barbados, regional riders should be given the chance to compete against international competition on a regular basis.

For the 2008 edition of the race which was won by New Zealander Heath Blackgrove, Charles expressed the view that he could have had a better classic.

“The race was almost incident free, we had good weather, good competition, a good course and we allowed the junior riders to compete with the big guns which was very encouraging,” Charles said yesterday.

Charles also called for more support from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and Government.

The four-day event attracts many people and thereby helps in sports tourism and creates an avenue for local riders to be exposed to international competition.

Charles was also quick to add that while the compensation packages for the tour have been fair and could do with a bit more work, it was the provision of an opportunity which gave local riders the chance to match their skills against those internationally, that cyclists really look forward to every year.

He also boasted of the course of the final stage which takes the cyclists throughout the streets of the sister-isle, that is second to none in the world. “I know Tobago is smaller and the course may not be as long as the others internationally, but the international riders have expressed to me that it is as challenging as any in the world,” Charles said.

And he is suggesting that cycling federation officials can consider using the course (the fifth stage) as a training ride for local cyclists.

German Timo Scholz snatched the runner-up position in the classic while Trinidad and Tobago’s Emile Abraham was third.

The Tobago-born Abraham who rides for Team Gremli out of the United States, was also voted the best Caribbean rider as well as the most outstanding sprinter.