Top Cyclists Race to Belize for Regional Championship

This coming weekend, cycling fans will witness a showdown in Belize like never before. Professional cyclists from across the Caribbean are coming to Belize to compete in the Caribbean Elite Road Cycling Champions. Belize is hosting the event for the first time since it was launched just over a decade ago. From time trials on Saturday to road racing on Sunday, the event promises to be filled with high level performances and strategy. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

It’s a first for Belize, the Cycling Federation is hosting the Caribbean Elite Road Cycling Championships this weekend. Cyclist from across the Caribbean are already rolling in, like Lian Trepte, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago National Team. He secured a fourth-place victory in 2024 in the Senior Men’s Open Under-Twenty-Three-time trial, and fifth in the road race.

 

Lian Trepte, Cyclist, Trinidad and Tobago

“The terrain here, at least from what we saw on the course profile will be very suited for our riders, because for the most part he men’s team is built on track cycling, so the flat courses will be very good for us. So last year was second road Caribbean championships and it was a little more of a bomber, we got two fourth places in the time trial and road race for the under twenty-three. This year we are a lot stronger and more knowledgeable about the race tactics and we are looking forward to putting out a good effort.”

 

Belizean Cycling Official Allan Auil told us why hosting this regional championship is a big deal for Belize. He also gave us some insight into the level of competition that fans can expect for the time trial on Saturday and road race on Sunday.

 

Allan Auil, Belizean Cycling Official

“We are very happy to have this hosted in Belize. We have only ever had local event in cycling, we have only ever had local events in Belizean cycling, national champions. We know about the big classic events we have, including the Cross Country. But this is the first regional championship we have had. We had one previous international race in Belize, in 2008, the M and M tour of Belize. For you to understand what is going to happen in the men’s race for example, our cycling fans are very familiar with names like Oscar Quiroz, Derrick Chavarria, Cory Williams, imagine a race with thirty or forty riders of that caliber, where every nation has a Cory Williams or Derrick Chavarria. That is the type of competition we will see in the men’s race. In the ladies race, there are couple riders registered who have ridden the Tour the France, ladies edition.”

 

So, this event will undoubtedly expose Belize’s cycling fans to races at the highest level in the region. Belize’s Cory Williams is the defending champion. President of the Cycling Federation of Belize, Glenn Flowers, says nineteen countries are participating for gold medal.

 

Glen Flowers, President, Cycling Federation of Belize

“The time trial starts on Saturday and it is going to be starting from the Boom junction to eight and a half miles on the Boom Road. That is twenty miles for the males back and forth. And the females doing six miles each way. For the road race we start at the Mirab, circle around the roundabout. There will be a roll out start and then it takes us back to the Puma Gas station where we flag the race and it starts there. We make a left on the airport road, going to eight mile roundabout and the George Price Highway, down to the roundabout in Hattieville, on to the Northern Highways and we will do that three times. On the third lap we come back straight to Mirab and finish there.”

 

Some final preparations on the route are being undertaken ahead of this weekend to ensure that all participants remain safe while riding.  Bermuda’s Conor White placed eight in the 2024 tournament. His cycling association president, Peter Dunne, says this championship in Belize is a highlight of Bermuda’s National Team season.

 

Peter Dunne, President, Bermuda Cycling Association

“We have great riders who have had a lot of success at this competition over the last couple of years. So, our expectations on them are very high. And I think their expectations are very high. So, on the day of the race races unfold and things happen. But if you look at last year’s results we hope to duplicate that or do better.”

And, while the event is being hosted in Belize, the annual championship is spearheaded by the Caribbean Cycling Union. Podium finishers walk away with individual medals and the bragging rights of being the best of the best in the Caribbean. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.