2007 Senior Cyclist of the Year
By Anthony De Beauville

St. Lucians in the next 19 days can look forward to recognition of those sportsmen and women who have done an exemplary job in their chosen field. The 2008 national sports award that is slated for February 16th will this year be held under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency, the Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy.
For the first time in years this ceremony which was meant to be an exciting evening for the nation’s sports personalities finally appears to have come home to reality as those nominated by their various sporting associations for 2007 will be treated to an evening of warmth and glitter at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Beach Resort.
One of the outstanding names that will be contending for the senior sportsman’s award is 24 year’s old Summersdale residence Cyclist Kurt Maraj, who during 2007 has been a consistent performer representing St. Lucia. Maraj and six other senior male athletes now await the announcement of the winner.
In his first event locally for 2007, Maraj had to settle for 2nd place in a Criterion Race organized by the St. Lucia Cycling Association. A few weeks later he revenged his defeat in friendly rivalry as he quickly picked up the pieces when he came back and won the second Criterion event for the year in the town of Vieux Fort as the SLCA continued it’s preparation of its local cyclist for overseas engagement.

Representing St. Lucia at the Annual OECS Cycling Championship held in St. Kitts and Nevis the 24-year-old Maraj placed 7th overall as he crossed the finishing line in a bunch time. There was more to come for this aspiring and talented cyclist, as his dreams became reality when he was selected to represent St. Lucia at the World Cycling Championships B in Cape Town, South Africa. Unfortunately he did not finish the road race due to mechanical problems, but went on to showcase his talent amongst some of the world’s best in the time trial as he finished in the top 30 athletes across the line.
There was more to come for Maraj as he rode his way into the thick of competitive cycling, as consistency at that level is the key and wanting to maintain a cut above the rest he further went on to participate in a four stage event dubbed the Tour of San Fernando, in Trinidad. He completed three out of the four stages in the bunch. This young man’s accolades do not end here as he went on to compete in the International Cycling Classic in Tobago, this time around in a five stage event, where he finished in the first 25; overall truly a remarkable feat.
The medium built Maraj finally got it all right as he continued to compete throughout the Eastern Caribbean Cycling Circuit. His next stop was the French island of Martinique which hosted the Annual Caribbean Cycling Championships. Maraj finished the grueling Peloton event and his determination in the time trial saw him secure 16th place overall.
Making a slow come back onto the circuit after a major operation in 2006 Maraj has signaled his warning to his competitors and hopes 2008 will be a lot better as he used last year as preparation. Given the limited resources and constraints 2007 was a successful year for Kurt Maraj. Sports enthusiasts salute your glory.