BVI cyclist makes his mark with U.S. racing team

By BVI Platinum

Darel Christopher jr, team Prima Tappa on the top step at the University of Georgia  Spring Breakaway race. Photo: Ariel Patrice Burgess

Darel Christopher jr, team Prima Tappa on the top step at the University of Georgia Spring Breakaway race. Photo: Ariel Patrice Burgess

Darel Christopher Jr. continues to progress well in his efforts to represent the Virgin Islands on the world stage and was recently selected as a member of a racing team in the United States, which will allow him to gain much needed experience.

On Saturday, March 14, 2015, Christopher officially started his category 2 cycling season for the first time in the U.S on team Prima Tappa p/b Mansfield Oil. This season opener was held in South Georgia. Christopher finished in 15th place and one of his teammates finish 6th.

On Sunday, March 15, the team competed in North Georgia and Christopher was victorious, giving him his first victory for the 2015 season.

All of this is a sign that Christopher is beginning to make his mark on the cycling scene in the United States where he has resided since July 2013 in hopes of reaching the professional level of the sport.

With his passion and goal to become a professional cyclist, he started competing in competitions in the USA as a category five cyclist. Ever since then, he has shown steady progress in his training.

About two months ago, Christopher advanced to category two which serves in the capacity of a semi-professional cyclist. He is currently working on advancing to category one on the professional level with a signed contract.

Darel Jr. continues to represent this Territory and is determined to make it to the top with the help and strength of God.

The BVI Cycling Federation led by Darel’s father, Darel Christopher Sr., noted that transitioning from a junior cyclist to a category A cyclist in the BVI Cycling Federation and now to his current position, he has shown that once you are determined and you work hard, you can achieve the unthinkable.

For those who are interested in following Darel Jr. log unto www.usacycling.com and enter is name, Darel Christopher, to get information on the races he has participated in.