For the first time, the Virgin Islands Cycling Federation will be hosting their “Rock City Road Race,” where cyclists will have the opportunity to earn cash prizes for completing a minimum six-mile course.
The VI Cycling Federation has existed for about 28 years, operating out of St. Croix. They have hosted many races on the big island, with participants from all over the territory and the British Virgin Islands competing. This coming Sunday, the Rock City Road Race competition will have a similar turnout.
“In the past, there’ve been discussions about doing a race over there, and once I became president, we stopped the talking, just got it done, we put it on the schedule and just made it happen,” said the federation’s current president, Mervin Mills. “We have cyclists over there and we just wanted to do something different. St Thomas comes over and supports us so we need to go over there and get it done over there, not always they coming over to take part in our race, which is still the Virgin Islands race, but we like different terrains, different features, a different venue.”
This year, the VI Cycling Federation will give out $2,500 worth of prizes. The races will begin at 6 a.m. and will occur between Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay. The shortest race is for the junior cyclists. It is a 12-mile race beginning at Yacht Haven Grande, goes to Crown Bay, and returns to Yacht Haven to complete the six miles. The Women’s and Master’s races will be 18 miles, the Sport race will be 24 miles, the Expert race will be 32 miles, and the Elite race will be 48 miles.
“We were trying to do two races over there but we ran into a couple little snags, but this one is happening, that’s the good thing,” said Mills.
With the work of his team, Mills said that they were able to provide the opportunity for cyclists to compete on St. Thomas. He anticipates between 25 to 30 cyclists competing for this tournament.
“St. Thomas can be a little bit challenging with some of the logistics, and I know the amount of cars on the road, and getting a good time to do it,” said Mills. “Hopefully future wise, for next year, we definitely going have two races on St. Thomas. That is the goal and that is what we will make happen.”
Mills added that once the organization can “recon the route” they can look for other areas on St. Thomas to host races.
The VI Cycling Federation has a schedule of races in which cyclists can compete in the territory. For more information about the organization or to get more information about the Rock City Road Race, contact 340-643-5050.
Race day registration will take place between 5:15 a.m. to 5:45 a.m. on race day Sunday. The registration fee is $5 for VI Cycling Federation members and $10 for non-members. Helmets must be worn for all races.
