Cyclists at the start of last year's Jason Bally Memorial

Cyclists from Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have confirmed their participation in the BVI Cycling Federation’s Jason Bally Memorial 100K on October 3. Inquiries have also come from Aruba as well, federation president David Thomas said.

“Aruba wants to bring their junior team which would be great if they do that, and this event is shaping up to be a good 5th anniversary run,” Thomas said. “We had 75 cyclists last year. I’m hoping that we can get at least 75, but I’m looking for close to the 100 person barrier. If we achieve that, it will be the first for a race in the BVI, but at least we’ll have 100 really competitive cyclists too. The good thing is this year is that the race comes about two weeks before the Caribbean Cycling Championships in St. Lucia. It’s a great warm up for that event.”

With the BVI listed as host of the 2006 Caribbean Cycling Championships, Thomas said alterations are being made to the course and Bally’s race will be used as a dry run for that event. According to Thomas, several racers in last year’s event suggested changes to the course since there were four laps in Road Town that were confusing to riders and timers.

“One of the overwhelming requests was to send the race back over the hills twice,” Thomas explained. “What we have done is instead of going to West End twice, like we’ve done in the past, we will be going to the airport twice. The race now will become interesting because the guys who are sprinters won’t be able to take advantage anymore and I think it will now come down to overall fitness. The changes will also make it a more exciting race and hopefully, our guys should be able to capitalize on it, seeing that the race is going over the hills twice.”

The race starts and ends at the Old Festival Village site following a memorial ceremony in Sea Cows Bay where Bally was innocently gunned down in 1999. “People will now have to think their race differently because in essence, they will have to go over the in essence 16 times going and coming,” Thomas noted. “We have also decided to include some sprint bonus prizes in three separate spots along the course. This will give the sprinters something to shoot for. We are also trying to develop the race into several races into one almost like the Tour de France where you get sprint bonus prizes.”

Thomas said this will make it interesting for the guys that won’t be able to win because of the climbing.

© Copyright 2003 BVI Cycling Federation

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