The Saint Lucia Cycling Association was forced to postpone its 2025 Independence Criterium event, reportedly due to the lack of police presence. More than 20 riders, including a dozen juniors, were set to compete on the Castries City Circuit on Sunday. The event has now been pushed back to March 16th.
Sources close to the event told St Lucia Times that confirmation had been received from police up to last Friday. But after some two weeks of communication, the association was advised late Sunday morning that no outrider would be available to support the annual event. The association relies on police to ensure that its events are safe, but St Lucia Times has learned that this is not the first time such a situation has occurred.
Hopefully, everything will be in place for March, when cyclists will compete on road bikes and BMX bikes, in sprints and distance events, covering women’s and men’s open, Under-19, Under-17, Under-15, and masters.
The afternoon event will start at 1 p.m. on Jeremie Street near the Castries Market. Riders will follow an 800-metre circuit that includes Peynier Street, Micoud Street, and Chisel Street.
Saint Lucia’s cycling community has previously proposed to the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports that the government build a national velodrome. Cyril Mangal, president of the Cycling Association, has held dialogue with the current Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, to that end.
Mangal says the safety of riders is a major motivating factor for the construction of a proper cycling facility. He also believes that creating safe riding spaces for young riders is critical, as local roads do not have appropriate safety measures for cyclists. The association president says this factor discourages parents from allowing their children to participate in cycling activities.
