CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix 2003 Cancelled
Friday, September 12, 2003

CD&P BERMUDA GRAND PRIX 2003

*****PRESS RELEASE*****

Hamilton Bermuda,
Wednesday, September 10, 2003


This morning the executive committee of the Bermuda Bicycle Association (BBA) has taken the difficult decision to cancel the 2003 CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix.

President of the BBA, Dannielle Bezant outlined the rationale for the cancellation. She said, “The efforts of the people of Bermuda and various Government departments have been amazing and I have no doubt that the Island will be up and running by next week. However, as the event is highly reliant on volunteers to host riders, marshal the race courses and perform the myriad of other logistical and technical tasks, it would be asking too much of people at a time when they are under significant pressure to re-build their lives following the recent storm.

“Since the storm began tracking towards Bermuda last week, we have received nothing but words of support from the overseas riders scheduled to participate. The cyclists’ only concerns have been with the wellbeing of the Island. We are fortunate to have made such good friends over the years and we know that they will continue to support this event and Bermuda in the future.”

The BBA would like to acknowledge the full support and encouragement received from the Ministry of Youth, Sport & Recreation, particularly from Brenton Roberts. Premier Alex Scott also offered the full assistance of the Government.

Ms. Bezant said, “While we are extremely grateful for this statement of support from the highest levels of Government, we feel that it would not be possible to put on an event of the calibre that is expected by the international cycling community and one that reflects the best qualities of Bermuda as a sporting and tourist destination.”

Ms. Bezant would like to thank all those who have already invested an extraordinary amount of time planning this year’s event and she has been assured that they are all on board for a successful Grand Prix in 2004. Our title sponsor Conyers Dill & Pearman has been extremely supportive throughout this process and the firm has confirmed that it is looking forward to sponsoring a spectacular event in 2004.

ENDS

For further information, please contact, Dannielle Bezant on 441 295 0688 or Peter Dunne on 441 799 8614

photos by Jonathan McElvery, Jack Milton, and BikeReg.com