ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CYCLING FEDERATION

The Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Association hails the hosted 2011 APUA inet OECS Cycling Championships a great success. President of the Cycling Association, Cliff Williams concluded his decision based on the feedback, reports, race results and financial position after the event. The members of the association spend the few days after the event receiving compliments and kudos of all aspects of the championships. The President of the Caribbean Cycling Federation, Trevor Bailey of St. Vincent deems Sunday’s event as the as the best organized and highest standard OECS Cycling Championships in the history of the event. The same sentiments were conveyed to us by every participating countries and the chairman of OECS Secretariat, Programme Officer – Sports, Denis James.

To add to the compliments of the planning and organizing, the race unfolded to come down to a picture perfect finish where all of the OECS best riders came down to a sprint in front of a huge and loud supporting audience climaxed by Antigua winning. Jyme Bridges who returned from Cuba to defend his title won his 2nd consecutive title ahead of Vincentian, Dominic Ollivierre in a time of 3:17.45 Olivierre who is considered as one of the region’s top sprinter had to settled for 2nd clocking a time of 3:17.46 Chiel Lefebure captured 3rd place amongst the field of sprinters, making Antigua and Barbuda take the 1st and 3rd podium spots. 2010 bronze medallist, Sydney Walters of Grenada placed 4th in a time of 3:17.46.7 ahead of Kurt Maraj of St’ Lucia who was 5th in a time of 3:17.46.9 Antigua’s Robert Marsh had to settle for 6th after leading the race from Falmouth to Factory village where he was caught by the lead field. Three of the day’s most outstanding riders Tyrone Thomas of Grenada, Fidel Mangal of St. Lucia and Marvin Spencer of Antigua placed 7th, 8th and 9th respectively.  It was evidently clear that the standard of the OECS riders raised to a higher level as 4 of the 7 countries had riders coming down to the finish with Antigua having 3 guys, St. Lucia 2, Grenada 2 and St. Vincent 1.


The Antigua team rode pretty well according reports coming out of the event however, it was evident that they was lacking in team tactics but never the less the overall goal was still met by winner the event with 2 persons on the podium. Antigua also benefitted well by hosting the event which gave the new and upcoming cyclists a chance to gain early experience by competing in a major regional event, this would not being possible for them if the event was hosted in another country. The same goes for the senior elite riders as the country will only able to select a 5 men national squad. 

This sort of overall showing makes Antigua and Barbuda most suited to host the region’s largest event, Caribbean Cycling Championships as early as 2012. This event proven to have as much as 113 riders on the start line and as much as 21 Caribbean countries with races over 2 days of both male and female classes.

The Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Association is pleased with the sentiments given on the event and are satisfied with the outcome and will like to thank their sponsors and all who assisted to make the event an success; APUA inet, Lucozade, Sign Pro, Bike Plus Ltd, Stonewall Reloaded, LIAT Airlines, Ministry of Sports, Harney Motors Ltd, Modern Auto Body Repairs, Scrubo’s Pineapple Car Rentals, Oasis Water, OTR Fashions, Nature’s Valley Kennedy’s, Chef 2U Events Ltd, Occasional Party Rentals Ltd, ABS Radio/TV, TCM, K45, Silver Lining Supermarket, Serphant Snake Pit, Omaha Bakery, Beryl Gore, Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Committee, A.S. Brydens and Son, Anjo Wholesale, Lolita’s, LMR Sign’s, Supreme Security, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Board and Matthew’s Auto parts. Special thanks also goes to the Royal Police Force, National Cadets Corp, Antigua and Barbuda Transportation Board, Division of Customs Omari King of OTR Fashions, the Volunteers and Motor bikes assistance. A special recognition ceremony put on by the Ministry of Sports and ABACA to recognize the sponsors, supporters and winners this with at the Ministry of Sports headquarters.

The Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Association will also like to thanks the general public for their cooperation and support, the cooperation of the motorist and the encouraging support of the villages of Bethesda, Cobbs Cross, Falmouth, Liberta and Ya So So corner, and All Saints village.