SVG sets high standards

President of the Caribbean Cycling Federation (CCF) Vincentian Trevor “Sailor” Bailey is convinced that this country has set some lofty standards when it comes to the staging of cycling events.{{more}}

This country paid host to the National Lotteries Authority Eighth Elite Cycling two day championships last Sunday and Monday, which Bailey has described as “the best championships since.”

“I am happy with the turn out; the championships were real good”, Bailey told SEARCHLIGHT last Wednesday morning.

Just over 90 cyclists from 23 countries were present here for the senior version of the Caribbean Cycling Championships.

Bailey was pleased with the execution of the championships, granted that the local organizing committee only had two and a half months to plan the event.

“We did well since we only had about two and half months to plan the championships,” Bailey said.

This country was called upon to fill the void left by original hosts Trinidad and Tobago.

Bailey thought that the incorporation of members from other national sporting associations added greatly to the success.

“This is the way we have to go, where people have to come out and help each other’s organization,” Bailey, who is also the President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union, added.

Witnessing the championships were President of the International Cycling Union Pat Mc Quaid, along with the President of the Pan American Cycling Federation Jose Manuel Pelez, and Mike Plant of the United States Cycling Federation.

In between the two day championships, the Caribbean Cycling Federation staged its annual meeting.

Bailey revealed that previously suspended Trinidad and Tobago was reinstated after their delegation apologized at the meeting.

Making a successful plea for the lifting of the two year ban were Roger Gibbon and Gene Samuel.

Bailey said that a fine will be imposed on the Trinidadians, but the amount is yet to be determined.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation is currently facing some internal administrative problems, with a vote of no confidence called against its President Michael Phillips.

The championships saw a time trial on Sunday, and the real thing, the road race, which took place the following day, Independence Day.

An upbeat Bailey liked the way persons along the route lined the streets and gave support to the cyclists, and the general co-operation by motorists.

The course from San Souci to the Rabacca Dry River in the north eastern coast of mainland St. Vincent saw the female cyclists traversing twelve miles in the time trial, while the men doubled the distance.

Donna Mc Mullen, of Bermuda, was first in the time trial, with Lisa Adamson, of the British Virgin Islands, second Monica Weekes, of Barbados was third.

The men’s time trial was won by Willy Roseau of Martinique. His time was 52 minutes 41 seconds. Louis Teplien of Guadeloupe was second in 53 minutes 27 seconds, with Garth Thompson of Bermuda, third, in 54 minutes 9 seconds.

Adamson turned the tables in the 31 miles women’s segment of the road race. She won in one hour 40 minutes.

Mc Mullen followed her and Denise Crebin of Barbados completed the top three.

Teplier was the first among the men to cross the finish line after cycling the 71 miles. He won in 2 hours 47 minutes 41 seconds, but with Augusto Sanchez of Bermuda in hot pursuit. Sanchez, beaten by less than was second wheel was second in 2 hours 47 minutes 42 seconds. Tyler Butterfield was third. His time was 2 hours 47 minutes 46 seconds.

Orano Andrews was the lone Vincentian to complete the road race. Andrews was 18th of the 19 finishers. The others who carried the Vincentian flag: Dominic Ollivierre, Dwight Sargeant and Albert Quammie failed to finish.

Next year’s senior championships will be held in Barbados, while the Juvenile is set for Bermuda.(RT)