OECS Road Cycling Championships keenly contested

The St Lucia Cycling Association will be hosting the 2013 OECS Cycling Championships on Sunday from 8.00am.

The race will start on the Castries Waterfront in front of the Heraldine Rock Government Building, travel northwards to the roundabout in Union near Mega J and return to the start area 10 times. Each lap will be nine km, with the race covering a total distance of 90 km.

The countries confirming their participation are Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and host St Lucia.

The Championships are being made possible through sponsorship of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, The Olympic Committees of the OECS including St Lucia Olympic Committee, First Caribbean International Bank, Scotia Bank and Du Boulay’s Bottling Company limited.

This year’s championships will be keenly contested with the 2010 and 2011 Champion Jyme Bridges, expected to battle to defend as the 2012 Championships was not held. Antigua will also have Robert Marsh who placed second in 2010 to battle for the victory.

Marsh ,with climbing being his strength, is not known for his sprinting ability but must not be underestimated. Bridges is no doubt a contender as he had a decent showing in the 2013 Caribbean Cycling Championships.

Anguilla will be represented by Sherwin Osborne, Benjamin Phillip and Justin Hodge who are expected to hold their own.

Grenada’s team consists of Tyron Thomas, Junior Telesford, Troy Felix and Royston Sylvester. Thomas, who has placed second at the OECS Championships on at least two occasions, will test his strength after being away from cycling for two years.

St Vincent will have Orano Andrews, Dominic Oliviere 2011 runner up, Camie Adams,  Zefal Bailey, Peter Durante and Orel George.

St Lucia’s team consists of Kurt Maraj, Fidel Mangal, Kirk Maraj, Stanislas Winston “Stoney”Williams and Fidel Esnard. Other riders expected to participate are Sammy Ruddy Joseph, Chandoy Moses and Eustace Dookie.

Among the St Lucia Team Kurt Maraj will be under pressure to deliver as our National Champion, having placed fourth in 2009. Williams a third place finisher in a previous championship is also determined to give a good result in support.

The St Lucia team has at least three riders who can win this road race and the local association looks forward to a hotly contested event.

The race will last between two hours and two and a half hours. Fans are encouraged to line the streets between the waterfront and Mega J to see a very exciting 90 km Road Race.