Coach of the Flying Ace Cycle Club of Berbice Randolph Roberts is aiming to further develop the sport in the new year.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport yesterday via telephone, Roberts said an increased number of cycling events is in the pipeline for 2011.
He predicted that the number of races scheduled for 2011 will definitely surpass the amount of races staged in the area in 2010.
An upbeat Roberts said that in addition to more events for the regions, he was looking at exposing top junior cyclist, Neil Reece, to more overseas events.
“This year we went to Trinidad in April and Aruba in August, but we plan to go to Barbados and take part in events around May–June after the three-stage,” Roberts disclosed.
He added that an invitation is scheduled to arrive from Barbados for the upcoming events there and sponsors are willing to support the duo.
“I informed my overseas sponsors and they will be supplying the ticket and A. Ally and Sons [Reece’s sponsors] are willing to support Reece,” Roberts added.
“I expect a lot of development this year [2011] because more sponsors are getting on board and more cyclists will be coming on board so the club will be getting bigger,” Roberts declared.
Roberts informed that Reece should be receiving a new racing cycle from sponsors in the coming year and said that he plans on recruiting more cyclists for the club from various schools in Region 6. The Flying Ace Cycle Club’s first event on their racing calendar for 2011 is scheduled for January 16.
This will be an ‘Open’ cycle road race, sponsored by Flying Ace club cyclist, Franco Crawford, owner of Franco Shoes Company in London, England.
The next event will pedal off on January 28.
According to Roberts, this will be an event designated for local riders in Regions 5 and 6 only. This will be followed by the Aqua Mist cycle road race scheduled for February 23.
Reflecting on the just concluded cycling year, Roberts said: “We had a very competitive and good year because we had cyclists from the club who participated in international events and were successful.”
“I would like to express thanks to the business people and others that supported us in 2010 and I’m looking forward for their cooperation in 2011,” said Roberts.
