Belmopan Cycling Classic rides on without sponsors
Kwame Scott
There is another major sporting event taking place this extended holiday weekend. The Belize Cycling Association is hosting its annual Belmopan Cycling Classic. There are three categories that the riders will compete in. The public relations officer for the association, Kwame Scott, says that the economic downturn has affected sponsorship for the event. Even though there are no sponsors so far for Sunday’s competition, Scott says the race must go on.
Kwame Scott, Public Relations Officer, Belize Cycling Association
“This Sunday the Belize Cycling Association presents the twenty-ninth running of the annual Belmopan Cycling Classic. It is traditionally, for the last twenty-nine years, held on the weekend holiday of the ninth of March. This weekend it will be held on Sunday. It’s a race that is the biggest classic before the general elections of cycling which is the cross country, which is April third, just about three weeks away. The race starts at eight in the morning from the Constitution Park in Belize City. It travels all the way, these are the Elite Males, to Belmopan City; one lap around the ring road and back to Belize City. The juniors will travel from Belize City to La Democracia, while the females will ride from Belize City to mile twenty-five and back. All three races start at eight in the morning near the Constitution Park. All three races finish at the Leslie’s Imports area at mile one and a half on the Western Highway.”
Jose Sanchez
“Who are the favorites in the three categories and who are the previous winners?”
Kwame Scott
“Giovanni ‘Froggie’ Leslie of Team Santino’s goes in as the defending Elite Male champion. Alicia Thompson is the defending female champion but I don’t think she’s active at this time. Young Kyle Gentle is the defending junior champion and I do think he will be defending the title. Unfortunately, the Belize Cycling Association up to press has not been unable to secure any sponsorship for this particular event. It could be a reflection of the times. The prizes may appear kind of slim. However, the race must be a reality so the BCA has gone into its coffers to make this one a reality.”
Scott says that if anyone would like to be a sponsor for the event, a member of the executive can be reached at 6700952.
