THE FIRST Professional Track Cycling Team in the Caribbean, aimed at exposing regional cyclists and allowing them to receive UCI ratings and points has been formed.
The initiative is the brainchild of ex-cyclist and Beacon owner and founder Jerry Hadeed and it focusses on local cyclists qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Yesterday, former president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) Robert Farrier said the programme has been labelled “Project 2016”.
He explained that cyclists will travel to all parts of the world to take part in international tournaments which are UCI sanctioned. Farrier said the professional track team will prepare local cyclists for tournaments such as World Cups. “What has been done in the past is that countries would carry their National teams and the pro teams which would enable more cyclists to participate at UCI events.
“The riders can either ride for their country or for the pro team and at the end of the tournament they would have been given points as well as rating depending on how they performed at the tournament,” said Farrier.
The professional track team will begin with Njisane Phillip, Quincy Alexander and Christopher Sellier.
Former national coach Desmond Dickie will fill the positions of Technical Director and coach while Farrier will be one of many volunteers.
-Walter Alibey
Source: www.newsday.co.tt