The green town of Bartica was abuzz yesterday as some 11 countries descended on the town for the historic staging over the next two days of the 13th Caribbean Junior cycling championships.
The nations that will be competing for top honors include Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Anguilla, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Suriname, St. Martin, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, United States Virgin Islands, Grenada and the hosts.
The close to 50 riders from across the Caribbean will take part in a Time Trial test today from 08.30 hours across 9.2 Kilometers before battling it out in a 60.35 Kilometers Road Race tomorrow, pedalling off from 08.00 hours.
According to Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, the entire community is in high spirits for the championship and he was yesterday adamant that the route will showcase the beauty of the town.
The race will begin at Second Avenue and Third Street, head east into Third Street, South into Sixth Avenue, through the old housing scheme, into the Bartica Potaro Road and turn around at Three Miles Secondary School, come down to One Mile, take a right into the Arcade, a right into Sixth Street then north into Second Avenue and finish at Sixth Street junction.
As preparations continued late into the night, Marshall expressed gratitude to the government agencies who would have lent support for the event.
“We are progressing nicely, I would like to extend gratitude to Public Infrastructure Ministry, Ministry of Communities and councillors of the municipality who worked tirelessly to ensure the basic infrastructure is in place…I believe this championship will take Bartica to a higher level in terms of our green agenda as cycling speaks greatly to active mobility and of course as the green town we are advancing the cause of persons being more active,” he said.
Marshall added, “I would want to congratulate all the teams that are here, we had a few laps with them to show them the course and they were pretty satisfied with it and we expect a marvellous weekend of action.”
Meanwhile the town was buzzing with activities as tourists flocked the small centre, an impact to the local economy that was welcomed by the Mayor.
“The local economy will benefit significantly, the boat operators, hotel owners, restaurant owners, shops, taxis and all others are going to enjoy the benefits an activity like this brings to us,” Marshall said.
Guyana will be represented by Ajay Gopilall and Ralph Seenarine in the junior division with David Hicks, Mario Washington, Jonathan Ramsuchit and Jerimiah Joseph battling in the juvenile category. Clivecia Spencer and local girl, Selena Stephen will represent the hosts in the ladies events.
Steve Bhimsen, Sherwin Sampson and Elisha Rutherford are listed as alternates.
While around 10 countries have arrived, at least two countries will miss the time trial but make the Road Race.
