BY DEAN GREENAWAY

 Following his return from the 2003 edition, BVI Cycling Federation president David Thomas announced that the territory will host the 2006 Caribbean Cycling Championships. The BVI had two riders finishing in the top 20 at the championships. Starting next year when St. Lucia hosts the championships, Thomas said Pan American Cycling Confederation president Jose Rodriguez will ensure the International Cycling Union contribute $10,000 to the championships. Aruba will host the 2005 event. "If the UCI doesn't come up with the funds, Rodriguez said his organization will contribute $5,000 to help with the funding of the championships," Thomas noted. "Rodriguez also pointed out that the championships will now become legitimate and will be recognized by all the relevant regional and international cycling organizations. The Caribbean Cycling Championships is only three years old, but now will be an official championship event and it will become a part of the International Cycling Union's calendar." Thomas became a member of the newly formed Caribbean Cycling Championships organizing committee. He said it will give the BVI a stronger voice. "I hope we can get a lot more things for cycling in the BVI as well as everyone else in the Caribbean." Additionally, representatives from the 12 countries at the championships met and formed the Caribbean Cycling Federation. Thomas said this was done because the small islands are looking at having a bigger voice in regional cycling apart from the Spanish speaking countries. "There are things we have been fighting for, but have largely been ignored," Thomas said. "This will change now." In voting for the vice president of the Pan American Cycling Confederation, St. Vincent's Trevor Bailey replaces Cayman Islands' Ted Gray. "All the countries represented thought Trevor would be the best person to represent the English speaking Caribbean," Thomas said. "He is duly concerned about cycling in the Caribbean. His post will be confirmed during a congress in Venezuela in March 2004."