The event, organised by Southampton Wheelers Club which has been active since 1954, rides off under lights this evening at San Fernando’s Rienzi Kirton Highway.

Apart from attracting cyclists from Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Barbados, Grenada, and several top local clubs, the field this year includes riders from the USA and Canada.

American Ryan Parnes will lead debutants Team EXUSTAR, which also includes Canadians Daniele De Franceshi and Jean Micheal La Chance.

Trinidadian Roger Farrell is Director of Team EXUSTAR.

The Tour this year opens this evening with the first stage, a Criterium race, with the second stage being an individual time-trial at 07:00 h tomorrow at the San Fernando Hill.

Stage Three will be a road race from Pointe-a-Pierre to Tabaquite, Brasso, Gran Couva, and back to Pointe-a-Pierre, starting at 13:00 h tomorrow.

Stage Four on Sunday will be a road-race from San Fernando to Point Fortin and back, starting at 07:00 h in front of City Hall, Harris Promenade.

COMPETING CLUBS/RIDERS:
Team Trek: Colin Wilson, Gevan Samuel, Gene Samuel, (T&T), Warren McKay, (Guyana), Linford Blackwood, Dean Martin, O’Neal Samuels, (Jamaica).

Rafmon-Mecalfab Heatwave: David Alves, Ronnie Moses, Glen Whiby (T&T), Marloe Rodman (Jamaica), Jude Bently (Guyana).

Rigtech Sonics: Mark Codrington, Njisane Phillip, Rudy Ashton, Ancil Roberts, Orlando Frontin (T&T).

Madonna Wheelers: Varun Maharaj, Shannon Metivier, Roger Smart (T&T)

Team Foundation: Joshua and Adam Alexander (T&T), Lisbon Quintero (USA), Jasette Bromfield (Jamaica).

Team EXUSTAR: Ryan Parnes (USA); Daniele De Franceshi, Jean Micheal La Chance (Canada), Director – Roger Farrell.