PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Riders from Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana will join an impressive contingent of cyclists from South American and European countries as they clash at the Palo Seco Games which begin here today.

The event, which runs until April 19, will take place with the international spotlight already on Trinidad & Tobago because of the fifth Summit of Americas which gets underway this week.

The Caribbean riders are expected to meet stiff competition from over 20 other wheelmen from Argentina, United Kingdom, Colombia, Germany, Argentina and Italy.

Barbados is expected to field the likes of seasoned rider Jason Forde, the younger brother of world class cyclist Barry Forde, along with Darwin Griffith and Jason Perryman.

Jamaica, meanwhile, will be led by the impressive Marloe Rodman who has ridden in T&T in the recent past with some degree of success.

Jason Briscoe, who along with Rodman competed in last year’s Caribbean Cycling Championship in St Vincent & the Grenadines, is also down to compete for Jamaica.

Alonzo Greaves, one of the top local cyclists in Guyana, will lead that team which also includes Warren McKay and Junior Niles.

Cuban Yasmani Pol Rodriguez, who has ridden successfully in T&T in the past, will also lead a strong Cuban team  scheduled to arrive for the event.

The Games will represent the largest contingent of foreign and regional cyclists to take part in a cycling event in decades.

This year’s event will be enhanced with the staging of three international road races and two track meets over five days at five different venues.