Grand Cayman the beautiful Caribbean Island which is only a one hour flight from Florida has long dreamed of an invitational stage race event to rival that of the Bermuda Grand Prix which has historically been a popular end of season wind down event for pro riders. Now they are about to make that a reality !
Pirates Week Invitational Stage Race ~ 8th thru10th November 2008
Pirates Week Invitational Stage Race:
1/ 8th Nov Sat Morning 10 Mile Time Trial
2/ 8th Nov Sat Afternoon Downtown Criterium approx 45 mins
3/ 9th Nov Sun Morning Circuit Race 1hr 30 mins
4/ 10th Nov Mon Morning Road Race approx 70 miles
A field of 50 to 60 riders expected which include:
Celebrity riders include:
Christian Vandevelde (5th at this years Tour De France and leaders jersey giro)
Peter Luttenburg (5th in 1996 Tour De France)
Chris Wherry
Chann Mcrae
Cream of the pro cycling peloton including riders that have won a stage
at a major tour or worn the pink or yellow jersey !
Christian Vande Velde writes
"I can't wait to get down to race in Grand Cayman. Its been a long season and having a treat like the grand Cayman race at the end of the year is a bonus. I will be with my wife and friends racing on an island.....life could be worse”.
Peter Luttenburger writes
“ I'm very exited to come back the Caymans after visiting all three islands in 2000. I was fascinated by the pristine white beaches and Crystal clear waters of this great place and was very close to buy a property on Grand Cayman. Thanks to the great enthusiasm of organizer Steve Evans, its now a great pleasure to come back for a three day cycling event, and a wonderful opportunity to promote this exiting sport. Cycling is a sport who can be practiced anywhere and by anybody. You can not only enjoy your bike in races, but also in daily life by riding to work, with family or to the store, improving health and environment.
I'm looking forward to the probably "most beautiful race" on the planet”.
Peter is also arranging to invite
Team ELK is a professional continental cycling team based in Austria and participates in UCI Europe Tour and when selected as a wildcard to UCI ProTour events.
TARGETRAINING of Westport Connecticut is proud to be invited to the inaugural Cayman Invitational, November 8,9,10.
Leading the team will be 2008 Connecticut Criterium and Road Race Champion Stephen Badger. The 2008 New Hampshire u23 Criterium Champion, Ben Zawacki, is the team's ambitious young talent who is hungry for the international league. A dedicated cyclist and team player, Armand Della Monica highlights his career with a profound solo victory in the 2006 Tour de Christiana Road Race. Strong and steadfast cyclist Mark Siega has had a successful career with 6 New York State Championships.
The team is honored and embraces this opportunity to be part of such an auspicious event on the beautiful Cayman Islands, with its vibrant white beaches, warm ocean-blue waters and top rated Caribbean restaurants.
Dave Lemay whom was the race director at the Tour of Virginia many years and is taking on that responsibility for us is bring down the following team and write
“ I have a super team together: j. alain ferry, metlife cycling. stephan kincaid, rite aid cycling. bobby lea, toyota-united cycling. 4th rider TBD .....Stephan is a former Collegiate National Champ and Bobby Lea is the current National champion! “
Chann Mcrae of Bahamas based VMG Racing U23 squad
Chann , of US POSTAL and Mapei fame, is getting a team together and also a possibility of inviting the ladies team Advil/Chapstick.
2 National Champions for your race, Peter Stetina and Kirk Carlson. Joining them will be our two super domistiques Peter Salon and Walker Savidge. These guys all ride for VMG/ Felt- the feeder Team for Garmin,
The race comittee is thrilled to also raise the profile of competitive ladies cycling on the island also if we can pull in the advil / chapstick team.
Vaughn Phang President Jamaica Cycling Federation
Thanks for the invitation. We are interested and will put a team together. Our riders are currently in Trinidad preparing for Caribbean Cycling Championships.
Steve Evans the Vice President of the Cayman Islands Cycling writes
From the Cayman Islands we have a very strong field of local based riders. From Olympians such as Mitchell Smith and Duke Merren to strong amateur elite riders such as Gary Clarke and Mario Sanchez to name just a few. Also a deep field of resident Brits, French, Canadian and Caribbean riders all with experience riding in elite amateur races is sure to make this an exciting weekend of racing. Finally Grand cayman is a very strong Triathlete stronghold and you can expect them to race in some of the events also. And most importantly. Caribbean fun in the sun too !
The Association welcomes invites from overseas teams of four riders to participate in this race in the sun ( when its cold up North ! ). A travel stipend per rider and amazing discounted hotel rooms on world famous Seven Mile Beach will be the desirable package not to miss! Team managers are encouraged to send brief rider bio's of a team of four riders to apply for an invite (Cat 2 riders or above suggested ). Hurry the spaces will go quickly !
Including the local riders a field of approx. 50 to 60 riders is envisaged.
get in your applications quickly to email:
