NAGICO to NAGICO annual cycling race.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday March 19th representatives from NAGICO N.V., representatives from Sint Maarten/Sint Martin Cyclers Club Association and the Police Department held their final meeting for this upcoming weekend Third Annual NAGICO to NAGICO cycling competition. This meeting was to finalize all arrangements to make sure all is in place where safety is concerned.
Between Friday March 20th and Sunday March 22nd a total of four races will take place involving both sides of the island. As a result hereof there will be many road closures and traffic diversions during the time the races are taking place.
Race # 1:
Friday March 20th the Causeway Time trial. From 06.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. the Causeway Bridge will be closed to all traffic including pedestrians in both directions at the East- and Westside round about (End of runway of the PJIA). The race will start and end at Eastside round about (Union road /Bell view side). During the race no onlookers or supporters will be allowed on the bridge. Only persons who are in the possession of a NAGICO badge and are assisting or taking part in the event will be allowed on the bridge.
All drivers coming from the Princess Juliana International will be able to use the Simpson Bay bridge to come into the Philipsburg area and surrounding. Going through Cupe Coy, Low Lands and Sandy Ground would be an option to get to Marigot and surrounding. The East side round about will also be open for those drivers coming from the Cole Bay area and going into Marigot.
At the end of the race the Causeway Bridge will immediately be reopened for all traffic.
Race # 2 (A):
Saturday March 21st, at approximately 08.15 a.m. the "Senior race" will start at NAGICO building in French Quarter and head towards Coralita to the Oyster Pond Border. The race will come over to the Dutch side on the Oyster Pond road the vicinity of Casa Blanca passing Rice Hill gardens, Intersection at Bishop Hill, Tata the bus driver road about turning right heading back to French Quarter. This will be done seven times. Once the race is on the Dutch side all traffic will be stopped by police officers and volunteers until all riders have crossed back over to the French side. At the end of the "Senior race" and "Junior race" will take place from the same starting point and ending point (one lap only). This race will end at approximately 12.00 p.m. at which all roads will again be open to all traffic.
Race # 2 (B):
Saturday March 21st, at approximately 03.15 p.m. a time trial race will take place starting at Papa's Grill (Steven bar) on the Sucker garden road and then via the Freedom Fighters round about, Walter Nisbet road, Salt Pickers round about, Walter Nisbet road, Percy Labega Street, Long wall road, Kerkhof steeg, Little Bay road, Link One, Octavius Richardson Street, One tete Locke Round about and ending at the Alexis Arnell road.
Along the route of this race there will be police officers and volunteers who will assisting in making sure that the traffic continues flowing coming into and leaving the Philipsburg area. This race will and at approximately 05.00 p.m.
Race # 3:
The third and final stage of the NAGICO to NAGICO will be on Sunday March 22nd and will start 08.15 a.m. at NAGICO main office on the Cannegieter Street, D.A. Peterson Street, Salt Picker round about, Walter Nisbet road, Freedom Fighters round about, Walter Nisbet road, Salt Picker round about, Walter Nisbet road, Percy Labega Street, Long wall road, Kerkhof Steeg, Little bay road, Link One, Octavius Richardson Street, One Tete Locke round about, Alexis Arnell road, Round about top of Cole bay hill, A.J. C. Brouwers road, Osborn Kruythoff round about, Union road, East side round about (Union road- Belle View), Cause way Bridge, West side round about (End of PJIA runway), Airport Boulevard, Rhine road until the border.
The race will then go over to the French Side via Low Lands and return to the Dutch Side at Oyster Bay road, Bishop Hill road, Tata the bus driver round about turning left and going back to the French side via French Quarter.
The race will again come on to the Dutch side via Belle View on to the Union road, East side round about, Cause Way Bridge, West side round about, Airport Boulevard via Rhine road back to the French Side.
Three laps will be made around the Simpson Bay Lagoon involving the Union road, Cause Way Bridge, Airport Boulevard, Rhine road to the French side. The race will end at NAGICO Insurances on Rue de la Republic in Marigot.
The holding up of traffic will last until approximately 11.30 a.m.
NOTE:
The Police Department and organizers are asking all drivers for the fullest cooperation by following the directions the police officers and volunteers who will be carrying red flags, to make this event a successful and safe one. At the same time they are asking the entire community to come out with family and friends to support this event which has grown tremendously over the past three years.
