Lagos partners Cycology Club for maiden cycle racing course

The Cycology Riding Club and the Lagos State Sports Commission have concluded plans for a cycle racing competition, tagged ‘Lagos Criterium.’

The event will hold at the Eko Atlantic project grounds on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island on May 30.

According to spokesperson for the Cycology Club, Kemi Saliu, a criterium is a high-intensity cycling race held over a course closed to all foot and vehicular traffic. “It requires the participants to cycle around the course several times, with the winner being the first to complete the required number of laps. It is a fast-paced, exciting competition with riders constantly attacking and counter-attacking,” she said.

Speaking during the unveiling of the event for the competition, captain of the Cycology Riding Club, Ladipo Soetan, disclosed that the event will feature four different cycling races, including Male Pro, Female Pro, Male Veterans (non-professional) and Female Veterans (non-professionals.

The chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition, Adeleke Adeniyi, however, revealed that seven states, including Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Delta, Plateau, Bayelsa and Rivers, as well as some top recreational club riders from across Nigeria, will vie for the N2 million cash prizes, ranging from N200,000 to N20,000.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of Lagos Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, said the Cycology Club has got everything that the state was looking for through their proposal. “Even before the end of their proposal, it was already a done deal. I like the international connection it brings; the tourism part of it is fantastic. The Cycology Club is about people who have got the passion in achieving something great the calibre of members is great.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the state very soon will be a cycling centre and that is why Lagos State is supporting the partnership. It is the beginning of better things to come. We want the cycling event listed on the calendar of the World Cycling Federation because our drive for Lagos State is to be a hub for sporting events.”