President of the Saint-Martin Territorial Cycling Committee Eric Hélan (left) with President of Security and Selection for the Committee, Gilbert Rousseau (right). (Photo Robert Luckock)
MARIGOT--Comité Territorial de Cyclisme de Saint-Martin (CTCSM) is busy preparing for the second edition of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saint-Martin taking place from September 12 to 15, 2024, held under the regulations of the French Cycling Federation. Overall winner of the first edition was Benjamin Leny. Over three days the riders will be covering a distance of 140K. “We are expecting about 50-60 riders. Last year for the first edition we had 40 riders,” said CTCSM President Eric Hélan at a press conference. “Team are coming from French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Anguilla, and Saint-Martin. Local clubs participating include VCSG, ASM, and JCO. Air Antilles has offered us reduced air fares for the visiting teams.” The event is open to categories Elite, Open, U23, and U19. Local clubs will be able to come together under the colours of the Saint-Martin selection. Organisation of each day’s racing is done by commissaires from Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Saint-Martin. After each race, jerseys, cash prizes and cups will be awarded.
Among the jerseys to be awarded are the Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey for race leader), White Jersey for Best Young Rider, Green Jersey for Most Combative Rider, Polka Dot Jersey for Best Climber, and Pink Jersey for Best U19 rider. The opening ceremony takes place at Villa Gumbs in La Savane on Thursday evening, September 12, at 6:00 pm where the participating teams will be presented. The first event is a 2K time trial in Marigot on Friday, September 13, at 4:00pm. The start is from Crédit Mutuel with the course going past West Indies Mall, Grand Saint-Martin, Blue Point gas station, Agrément roundabout, Rue de Hollande, McDonalds, with arrival at Jean-Louis Vanterpool Stadium.
The first race is on Saturday, September 14, starting at 8:00am. This will be an 84K race. Departure is from the Jean Louis Vanterpool Stadium. The course goes through Saint James to Bellevue, Cole Bay border, over the Causeway Bridge onto airport road, Maho, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, Terres Basses, Baie Rouge, to Sandy Ground. Then its four times Sandy Ground, Marigot, Saint James,,Bellevue, Cole Bay border, Cause Way Bridge, Princess Juliana Airport, Maho, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, Terres Basses, Baie Rouge, with arrival in Sandy Ground opposite the old dispensary. On Saturday afternoon the second stage is a 60K race from Marigot to Grand Case starting at 3:00pm.
Once again departure is opposite the Jean-Louis Vanterpool Stadium. The course goes to Morne Valois, Morne Lainez, La Savane ,Grand Case, Cul-de-Sac Roundabout, Orient Bay, French Quarter / Border / Parotte Villa Roundabout / Return to French Quarter, Orient Bay, Grand Case RN7. Then three times the circuit: Grand Case RN7 / Gas Station La Savane . Then U-turn at Gas station, Grand-Case RN7, Cul-de-Sac Roundabout, Orient Bay, French Quarter, Parotte Villa Roundabout / Return to French Quarter, Orient Bay, Cul-de-Sac Roundabout, and arrival at Cito’s Place, Grand Case RN7.
The third and final stage on Sunday, September 15,starts at 9:00am from the Jean-Louis Vanterpool Stadium. This is a 127K race with a course going up to French Quarter, then taking in Sucker Garden, Pondfill, Cole Bay, Bellevue, French Quarter, Oyster Pond, Maison Blanche. The circuit is repeated five times. The closing ceremony will also be held at Villa Gumbs, La Savane, on Sunday, Septem
