Shaquel Samuel (L) and Darel Christopher Jr. were stopped by race officials during the Caribbean Cycling Championships. Also pictured (seated in vehicle) is President of the BVICF, Darel Christopher Snr.

Photo Credit: BVICF

Shaquel Samuel (L) and Darel Christopher Jr. were stopped by race officials during the Caribbean Cycling Championships. Also pictured (seated in vehicle) is President of the BVICF, Darel Christopher Snr.

Photo Credit: BVICF

Two young Virgin Islands cycling prospects entered the 12th Caribbean Cycling Championship last weekend in Antigua, but they found out quickly that it takes more to compete at the highest level regionally.

Darel Christopher Jr. completed 3 laps/63 miles in a time 2:56:48. At that time, he was approximately 15 minutes behind the race rider and was stopped by race officials. Shaquel Samuel who also completed 3 laps/63 miles in a time 3:42:01 was also stopped by race officials after completing the third lap.

The event consisted of a road race of 4 laps over a distance of 84 miles, which saw Guadeloupe take two of the three top spots.

First place went to Guadeloupe's Carene Boris, who finished the course in 3 hours 35:46 minutes, followed by Puerto Rico's Efren A Ortega Rivera in a time of 3 hours 35:47 minutes. Finishing third was Larochelle Stephane of Guadeloupe in a time of 3 hours 35:48 minutes.

According to the BVI Cycling Federation, both riders admitted that they need more training and exposure in order to be competitive at such high level of competition presented by the riders who participated in the Caribbean Cycling Championship.

Team Manager Colen Corea stated that the course was very competitive and challenging. He said out of the over 90 cyclists from 23 Caribbean countries that started the event, only 28 cyclists completed the 4 laps and the remaining cyclists were stopped by officials, or dropped out.

He also said that BVI cyclists did good based on the training that they received; however, he said that in order to be competitive at such high level of competition, a higher level of training and exposure is needed for the cyclists.

"We are looking into improving our level of training for our young cyclists in the BVI," Corea stated.

The BVICF is currently preparing for elections which will take place during its Annual General Meeting on October 31. All persons interested in contesting the executive positions must submit their names on or before the Wednesday 24th October, 2012 to the President at 1-284-494-4505 or 1-284-543-1526.