BVICF Executive Committee. From L-R: Simone Todman, Tiffany Forbes, Darel Christopher Sr., Colen Corea and Phillipa Nichols.
Photo Credit: Provided
BVICF Executive Committee. From L-R: Simone Todman, Tiffany Forbes, Darel Christopher Sr., Colen Corea and Phillipa Nichols.
Photo Credit: Provided
The BVI Cycling Federation (BVICF) has disclosed a number of new changes that will take effect this year, including a new point system and a measure to stop using the annual Jason Bally Memorial Road Race to crown the national champion.
President of the BVICF, Darel Christohpher, stated that moving forward, rather than everyone locally racing for themselves at Jason Bally Memorial Road Race, it may be feasible to have a team or two recognized cyclists to represent the BVI in this race.
He pointed out that on June 30, the BVICF Highway Challenge Road Race will be used to crown the National Champion for 2013. According to Christopher, this event will be a one-off race to determine the National Champion which would encourage BVI cyclists from aboard to come back and participate in this race.
He stated that the BVI National champion will be the cyclist who will be representing the BVI in regional and international races.
Christopher also pointed out that at the beginning of the 2013 the BVICF introduced a new format and points system for all races during the season.
"These new categories are Class A, Class B, Junior and Women class. All Elite riders will be considered Class A cyclists and all other cyclists will be considered Class B cyclists. The cyclist, who wins the Class B over the season, will automatically be bumped up into Class A every year and this will give another rider in Class B a chance to win that class. The cyclist who achieves the most points in the categories over the 2013 will be the overall season champion. Because of this, there will be no medal ceremony after each race except for the four (4) main events and the Time Trial in the BVICF 2013 calendar," Christopher stated.
He stated that a junior cyclist who turns 19 years by rights should be competing in Sub 23 category as per the UCI rules; however, due to the small number of cyclists in the category, the BVICF chose to eliminate the category and allow the cyclists to start competing in Class B, giving them time to develop.
"Trophies and prize monies will be awarded to the top three finishes in all categories. The Class A winner will become National Road Race racing Champion for that year and will receive a winner´s jersey. Having a championship race earlier in the cycling season can allow the BVICF to indentify and select the top cyclist that would represent the BVI in events such as Junior Championship, OECS Elite Championship, etc.," Christopher shared.
A points system will be put in place to enable the BVICF to choose the Champion based on the season performance.
He stated that the future of cycling looks bright as the BVICF intends to introduce electrical timing system for the 2013 season. According to Christopher, one of their members will train to become a commissar and much more as they prepare to host the 2014 OCES Cycling Championship and the 2015 Caribbean Junior Champion.
New Point System
1st place 30 points
2nd place 27 points
3rd place 25 points
4th place 23 points
5th place 21 points
6th place 19 points
7th place 17 points
8th place 15 points
9th place 13 points
10 place 10 points
