NEVIS CYCLE & TRIATHLON CLUB

Nevis Cycle and Triathlon Club after months of intense preparation; began plans for junior cyclist, Assim Chapman of St. Kitts and Nevis to race in the Caribbean Junior Cycling Championships or (CJCC) in Santo Domingo. Measures were well on the way, for this exciting 25 -26 August, 2012 event. Unfortunately the passage of Tropical Storm Isaac on August 22 caused the event to be postponed. The new dates of September 15 and 16 was subsequently announced, this gave Assim an additional few weeks to prepare.

At long last, on Wednesday September 14 the Nevis contingent comprising of Assim Chapman current National Junior Champion; and his coach Reggie Douglas departed the Federation for Dominican Republic. The two day event would involve a 20km Individual Time Trial and 78km Road Race and feature cyclists from 17 Caribbean nations.

The Individuals Time Trials (ITT) was staged on Saturday September 15 for all race categories Juvenile and Junior. There were a total of 30 riders in the Junior category, so they were split into two groups. St. Kitts and Nevis was chosen in the top 14, starting in 3rd position, going after the U.S.V.I and Anguilla. He began his challenge off the ramp at 10:47am. His first lap time was 14.15’09/100 his total time was 29.23”70, it was the fastest time at that point in his entire group. Assim would have to wait in the hot seat to see what the second wave of riders would produce.

The second wave of 16 riders started their ITT’s at 11:20am. When the dust settled Assim Chapman of St. Kitts and Nevis finished in tenth place overall, out of a field of 30 participants from throughout the Caribbean. He was the top Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) finisher in the Individual Time Trials.

On the morning of the road race September 16, Assim was confident, focused and ready for the challenge of the 78km. St. Kitts Nevis and Antigua shared service cars; the road was very bad in some areas and very dangerous in other parts. An Antigua cyclist suffered a severe crash ending his race and Assim had his first flat and was assisted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A short while later he suffered a second flat prematurely ending his bid in this event.

The Nevis Cycle and Triathlon Club wishes to thank the Nevis Island Administration for their generous contribution and the Nevis public for their continued support.