[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ycling on National Day is certainly not what it used to be. For one thing sponsorship has is hard to come by leaving officials in a quandary when it comes to organization and promotion of the event. The seven races on Thursday that got underway opposite the Castries Market were anything but excitement particularly the main event. The big winner on the day was Kluivert Mitchel from Mon Repos. He won the 15 lap open race around the city circuit in a time of 20:45.28 seconds. Kluivert who is a junior cyclist easily outdistanced the veteran Elvis Joseph from Dennery who in his prime was always a force to contend with. Joseph clocked 20:56.61 seconds. Third place went to Winston “Stoney” Williams from the Excellers Cycling Club in a time of 21:02.75 seconds. Following are results from the other races. Ten and under (one lap): (1) Gideon Louis, Dennery (1:56.19); (2) Cornelius Edmund, Roseau Valley (2:09.60); (3) Neshaun Polius, Roseau Valley (2:34.80). Eleven to 12 years (two laps): (1) Matthew Louis, Dennery Valley (3:23.63); (2) Cleynanus Jules, Dennery Valley (3:44.31); (3) Demitrius Newton, Bexon (3:58.03).
Open 18 and under (three laps): (1) Eltus Joseph, Dennery (5:13.38); (2) Cornelia Edmund, Roseau (5:13.38); (3) Leonica Antoine, Roseau (5:47.91). Mountain Bike/BMX (five laps open): (1) Cameron Augustin, Bexon/Sarrot (8:28.03); (2) Victorine Laurence Bexon/Sarrot (8:29.63); (3) Erik Emanus, Bexon/Sarrot (8:48.19). Sprint Open (MTB 150 metres): (1) Cameron Augustin, Bexon/Sarrot; (2) Victorine Laurence, Bexon/Sarrot; (3) Erik Emanus, Bexon/Sarrot.
Under 18 150 metre sprint: (1) Eltus Joseph, (2) Cleyanus Jules, (3) Gideon Louis. Recapping the year, President of the St Lucia Cycling Association, Cyril Mangal said: “In 2018 we started well but did not have very many events after July. It was a difficult period especially since we had the issue of always funding for the police because we don’t have it free when it comes to them patrolling our races. This National Day it was a bit better in terms of people turning out to watch.”
Although he was disappointed with the low turnout by national cyclists Mangal was pleased with number of youngsters who took part which is a plus for the future of cycling here. Nevertheless the Cycling Association have a tough uphill climb in order to accelerate the youth movement in the sport. “We are just scratching the surface and have a lot of work to do,” said the President. “We had a Cuban Coach last year but we don’t have one right now to try getting the youngsters involved in cycling. That is a big disappointment for us plus we also need at least one or two local coaches for the proper development of cycling.
It has always a top priority the Cycling Association to have a facility of some kind most notable a velodrome. Mangal mentioned that the Cycling Association did meet with Sports Consultant Don Lockerbie who is working with government on a master plan for this country’s sporting landscape. Mangal went further on to say that he sent an email to Lockerbie with a proposal in terms of a velodrome and BMX track but is still awaiting a reply.
