TCI: First Annual Tour of the Turks and Caicos Islands Stages 3 &4

#Providenciales, October 17, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The first Annual Tour of the Turks and Caicos Championship, a four-stage cycling competition concluded this weekend with stages 3 and 4.

On Saturday Oct 13th the second time trial of the tour took place on Venetian Road. Cyclists in both categories rode a distance of 8.5 miles to test individual speed. Though it’s only been a week since the previous time trial, individual times improved overall.

Earldarrel Basden, the category two winner of both stages 1 and 2 received his third win of the tour making him the person with the most wins in Category 2 and overall so far.  DeVaughn Williams captured 2nd and Terrence Astwood Jr., 3rd.

In Category 1 Sean Rodgers once again caught the top spot giving him his second win of the tour.  Followed by Fred Registre in 2nd and Dan Redmond in 3rd.

After the time trial, winners were presented with the coveted green winners jerseys and bottles of champagne decorated in Breast Cancer pink.

The final event of the tour was a road race encompassing most of Providenciales. Riders in category two raced for 66-mile miles while category one did 75 miles.  The cyclists all wore pink ribbons in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  In category two Earldarrel once again took and kept an early lead on his category two competitors, earning his forth win of the tour.  Gabriella Hegedus, the sole female competitor placed second and Terrence Astwood Jr. placed third.

Cyclists in category one likewise kept the same pack strategy as they did in stage two.  The heat was on in the final stretch of the race that again ended in a group sprint.  Fred Registre, one of the best sprinters in the race emerged on top followed by Tyrone Bishop and Sean Rodgers.

The president of the National Cancer Society; Mrs. Rosemary Jolly was on hand to present the winners their jerseys and champagne.  She expressed her delight in the Cycling Federation’s efforts to bring awareness to Brest Cancer and honour those affected by it and is looking forwards to joint ventures with the federation in the future.

Though the tour brought the 2018 racing season to an end, an awards banquet is scheduled for Sunday October 21 st. , where cyclist will receive their prizes for their efforts during the tour as well as throughout the year.

With the conclusion of the 2018 season, and all cycling points tallied for all races during the year, the overall 2018 season champion was determined.  Emerging winner of the 2018 season in category 1 is Sean Rodgers, followed by a tie for second place between Shanwell Gardiner and Tyrone Bishop.  Third place was taken by Fred Registre.  For Category 2, the 2018 season winner is Gabriella Hegedus (only registered female cyclist), with Matthew Williams and David Hernandez placing second and third respectively.

Mr Shanwell Gardiner, President of the TCI Cycling Federation is happy the way the 2018 season concluded and stated that the federation has big plans for the 2019 season.  We will be taking cycling to the outer islands of the TCI.  Grand Turk and South Caicos will both see races for the 2019 season and will also be added to the tour of TCI championship.  We will also be conducting a cycling coaching training course where we would like to see at least 2 trained from the outer islands to ensure growth of the sport.  Mr Trevor Bailey, CCC president and UCI certified coach will be visiting the Islands later this year to conduct a training workshop for local cyclists.  Plans have already begun for the Federation’s application to UCI (Cycling’s International Governing Body) for its associate membership.  This is the highest level of accreditation any cycling body can attain.  The TCI cycling Federation has gained membership with the CCC (Caribbean Cycling Confederation) since October 2016 and has been working with other federations in the Caribbean to assist with expanding our program.  There are also plans to expand our kids program and introduction of cycling into the schools.

Mr Sean Rodgers, Vice President of the Federation stated that this year has been a great success and we have all grown as competitive cyclists and a federation in such a short time. Next year will be bigger and better.

The Turks and Caicos Cycling Federation wishes to thank our sponsors; TCIG Sports Department, NW Hamilton Insurance, Caribbean Cruising, Bordier Bank, IGA, Connolly KIA Motors, Core Resources, Building Materials Do It Center, Misick and Stanbrook Law Firm, Le Vele Resort , Parrot Cay Resort, The Ocean Club Resort. We would also like to thank the public who came out to support the event, the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force who kept us safe, and an extra special thank you to all of our volunteers who assisted in making this event a success.

Release: TCI Cycling Federation