Organisers of the recently concluded Tobago International Cycling Classic have heaped praises on the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) for their intervention and timely assistance toward ensuring that this year’s edition of the decorated meet was a resounding success.

Jeffrey Charles, one of the event’s main organisers, lauded the actions of the sister-isle’s governing body for repairing a significant section of the course with just one week prior notice.

Charles revealed that if it were not for the speedy repair work done by the THA, the Classic would have lost the official International Cycling Union (UCI) branding for this year’s event.

“One week prior to the start of the Classic, we were conducting a route check and realised that the road between Bloody Bay and Charlotteville was in a deplorable state and unfit for professional riding. This was a major blow to us (organisers) since the Classic was scheduled to start in seven days. If this was not immediately fixed, the UCI would have immediately withdrawn their sanctioning of the race,” he explained.

Charles continued, “If it were not for the day and night works conducted by the THA in that final week, the Tobago Classic would have not been what it was anticipated to be. The UCI took months to approve the dimensions and course details of the route to ensure it was UCI certified. But, the highly credible work of the THA and its employees made sure that the race remained UCI-sanctioned and up to their required standards. The THA did the impossible in that one week, and to them we are very grateful for their help, they made the Classic what it was billed to be.”

He acknowledged the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities for their help and determination toward ensuring the events success. Charles also credited the people of Tobago for lending their support and being keen observers and spectators of the race in its 26th year. “Kudos to all those who came out in support of the event and making it what it was. When the road was being repaired we had no idea that it was actually closed off for a few months prior. While construction was going on in that final week, I kept chatting with the workers and they gave me confirmation that it would surely be ready for race-day. They all worked so hard and the people of Tobago need to be publicly acknowledged,” he added.

The event chairman also stated that THA chief secretary Orville London and several other Tobago officials were priviledged to personally meet and greet the UCI president Pat Mc Quaid, and ESPN vice-president Bernard Stewart, among other dignitaries.

He also hailed the significant impact that Mc Quaid’s presence is expected to have on the sister-isle and the race and is looking forward to a boost in sport tourism.

“I made a courtesy call to the chief secretary (London) so we could have him meet the UCI president and ESPN staff. They enjoyed each other’s presence and were both pleased to be a part of such a major cycling meet in the scenic sister-isle.

We know that the president was very satisfied with the Classic on all counts and this is very big for us,” he concluded.

Charles indicated that upon completion of the race, several foreign riders approached them (organisers) to book a place in next year’s edition of the meet. He proudly accepted their offers and was confident that the 27th annual Tobago Classic (2013) would be an even bigger highlight for Tobago and the global cycling fraternity.

The highly anticipated 60-minute ESPN footage of this year’s Classic should be released sometime in November.

By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH

Source: www.newsday.co.tt