More than 100 cyclists from as far away as California are gearing up for the 9th annual Tour of the Bahamas, the nation’s premier cycling event, to be held January 28 and 29 in Nassau. Local and foreign competitors will ride side by side, vying for up to $16,000 in cash prizes and awards.
News of the event was unveiled at a press conference at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture with Sports Director Tim Munnings who called Tour of The Bahamas “one of the most important events on the sports calendar.”
For the first time, a non-competitive Family Fun Ride will be held in conjunction with the competitive pro, master and junior tour races. That event, sponsored by BOB, is set for Saturday at 4 pm with a start at Caves Point. The 10-mile circuit will take riders east along West Bay Street to Cable Beach, through the new road twice and back to Caves Point.
The main course takes cyclists around the southwestern portion of the island with the start at the Clifton Heritage Park. Riders are expected to reach speeds of up to 40 mph at sprint points.
Hosted by the JAR Cycling Club, Tour of The Bahamas is sponsored by BOB, Mahogany House, Scottdale Bedding, BTC, The Windshield House, National Fence Company, Cycles Unlimited, Atlantis and the Ministries of Tourism and Youth, Sports & Culture.
“We would like to thank our sponsors and we welcome cyclists in this tour where we expect 115-120 local and international riders,” stated Jeff Major, event organizer. “This being the Olympics year, we also have Olympic hopeful Jay Major who will competing in Tour of the Bahamas in Category 3.” Major, now 17, has been a junior champion and one of the locals who has caught the eyes of professionals.
The event features a 3-mile individual time trial followed by a 42-mile circuit — seven laps of a 6-mile course — on Saturday, January 28 beginning at 8 am with the a 76-mile race set for Sunday at 8 am. Juniors will race a 30-mile course.
Confirmed pro and development racing teams in this year’s event include BMC Hincapie Development Team, No Tubes AXA, Jamis Sutter, FloridaVelo Elite & Masters, ASV and Texas Road House. “Internationally we have the Hincapie and the FloridaVelo teams which are two strong international teams – competition will be fierce,” said Major.
Juniors, women, master and pro cyclists are invited to register for the two-day race event by visiting tourofthebahamas.com. Supporters are invited to cheer riders on along the race circuit on both Saturday and Sunday.
