It began back in 1991, the same year of the first semipro football competition in Belize. And the KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic – from Corozal Free Zone to Corner Mahogany Street and the Boulevard in Belize City – has become a major fixture on the cycling calendar, only being surpassed in drama and pageantry by the Annual Cross Country Classic.
In its early years, the KREM Classic was dominated by Belizean cyclists – from 1991 to 2000, it was Michael Lewis, Francisco Flores, Derrick Mahler, Douglas Lamb, Robert Mariano, Nigel Matus, Fred Usher, Francisco Flores, Ernest Meighan and Ariel Rosado winning the big prize.
The first foreigner to wear the crown was Miguel Perez in 2001; but the last few years have seen a disturbing trend, as, like in the Cross Country, the foreigners have asserted themselves, taking top honors in two of the last three years. Following Perez in 2001, there was a four-year run of Belizean champions from 2002 to 2005 – Barney Brown, Douglas Lamb, Marlon Castillo and Michael Lewis; but the spell was again broken when American Scottie Weiss burst the tape in 2006. On a wave of patriotic sentiment, Shane Vasquez brought the crown back home in 2007; but again, last year, in 2008 it was a foreigner, Neo German Camacho Villegas who laid claim to the KREM Classic.
Race organizers have taken all precautions possible to ensure the “cleanliness” of the race. It is now up to our local riders to prove themselves worthy of the KREM cycling crown against a fierce field of foreign competition.
According to a Cycling Association release today, the total riders presently listed to participate in the race include 81 Belizeans, 4 Guatemalans, 1 Panamanian and 1 Costa Rican rider. Santino’s Cycling Team has 8 Belizeans and 2 Guatemalans; Typhoon Cycling Team has 10 Belizeans; Sugar City Boyz has 6 Belizeans and 2 Guatemalans; Benny’s Megabytes has 8 Belizeans, 1 Panamanian and 1 Costa Rican; Sugar City Stars has 6 Belizeans; Western Spirit comprises 9 Belizeans; C-Ray Cycling Team is 6 Belizeans; Crystal Cycling Club has 11 Belizeans; Pacy Tours is 6 Belizeans; and there are 11 unattached Belizean riders.
Who will shine in 2009!! The countdown is on for the 19th running of the KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic.
P.S. The Krem New Year’s Day Cycling Classic is organized by Krem Radio under the regulations of the International Cycling Union. It is to be held on 1st January, 2009.
In addition to a number of station prizes along the route of the race, the cash prizes for finishers in the Elite, Junior and Female categories will total some $7,025.00. The Elite champion takes home $1,500 plus a trophy; 2nd place gets $1,000 and a trophy; and 3rd receives $750 and a trophy. The rest of the top twenty finishers receive a reducing cash amount: $500 for 4th place; $350 for 5th; $275 for 6th; $200 for 7th; $175 for 8th; $150 for 9th; $100 for 10th; $75 each for 11th and 12th; $50 each for 13th to 15th; and $25 each for 16th – 20th place. The prizes in the Junior category are: 1st – $300 & trophy; 2nd – $200; and 3rd – $100. For the Females: 1st – $500 & trophy; 2nd – $300; and 3rd – $200. Trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the Masters.