Source: www.guardian.co.tt
Two-time British National Road Race Champion Jeremy Hunt and World Cup Kilo Champion Ben Kersten of Australia will join Tour de France Green Jersey winner Baden Cook and over 100 others in the Beacon T&T Cycling Festival at the Queen’s Park Savannah tonight. As opposed to years gone by, the festival has been scaled down to just one night during which the main event will be a 14-lap Road Race at 8.45 pm.
Some of the top locals signed up to compete include Emile Abraham and brothers Joshua and Adam Alexander, who will be fancying their chances of winning the $10,000 first prize in the absence of last year’s winner Walter Perez of Argentina. The night will also feature a Sprint Race, for which multiple USA National and Pan American champion Giddeon Massie is expected to be the favourite, and Two Lap races for Ladies, Juveniles and Over 50 Veterans.
Beacon Insurance Company Limited has invested $300,000 in the event, while other sponsors include Kiss Baking Company Limited, the Trini Posse, Blue Waters and TGIFridays. The $45,000 in overall cash prizes will mark the largest pot for a single local cycling event. The races will be punctuated by several entertainment segments including a parade of Carnival bands as well as musical performances by JW & Blaze and Iwer George.
SCHEDULE
7 pm—Close off Road Memorial—Cipriani Boulevard
7.30 pm—National Anthem by Pangelics Steel Orchestra
7.35 pm—Opening Prayer
7.36 pm—MC’s Welcome and Introduction of Sprinters who proceed to Cipriani Blvd. (Pangelics to play)
7.40 pm—Start of Ladies 2 Laps
7.41 pm—Start of Juveniles 2 Laps
7.42 pm—Start of Veteran 50+ 2 Laps
7.45 pm—Start of Sprint
8 pm—Finish of Categories (Ladies, Juveniles, Vets 50+)
8.05 pm—Parade of the Carnival Bands
8.30 pm—Introduction of Cyclists Main Event (Siparia Rhythm Section to play)
8.43 pm—Remarks Mr Gerald Hadeed & Honorable Anil Roberts
8.45 pm—Drop Flag / Start of Race
9.20 pm—Race Ends
9.25 pm—JW & Blaze
9.35 pm—Prize Giving (Top Three Main Event)
9.45 pm—Iwer George
10 pm—End of Event