A sport, a club: cycling with ASM
Every year, the feats of the Tour de France captivate us. But before hitting the road and clocking up the kilometres, you have to learn to master your bike. At the Marigot Sports Association (ASM), this training begins as early as the age of four.
Founded in 2013 and chaired by Steve Galvani, the voluntary organisation now has around fifty members. The club fosters a friendly atmosphere, characterised by a strong sense of unity and good relations between members and volunteers. For young people, learning to cycle is also accompanied by activities focusing on respect, safety and group dynamics.
From what age and who is it for?
The ASM welcomes children from the age of four in the ‘baby bike’ category. Gathering in the Galisbay car park, the young cyclists learn to balance, brake and control their bikes. Members then progress through different age-based categories, from U7 to U19, then to the ‘espoirs’ category (ages 19 to 23) and finally to the seniors. The club caters to both recreational cyclists and competitive riders. “Up to the U13s, the focus is on learning and recreational cycling,” explains Steve Galvani. From the U15s onwards, competition takes on a greater role in the athletes’ training.
How do they progress?
“The coaches aim to help each young person progress at their own pace,” explains the ASM chairman. Coached by passionate volunteers, including two who hold the BAFA qualification, the runners can also test themselves against their peers from other clubs at external competitions. “The ASM has already produced Guadeloupe champions in the U15 and U17 age groups,” says Steve Galvani proudly.
Whilst these trips remain costly for families, the sports club helps to cover part of the expenses.
Club news
As the season draws to a close, several young riders from the ASM could join the Saint Martin squad for the Caribbean Junior Championships, taking place from 20 to 24 August in Belize. They will represent the island in a time trial, followed by a road race. The club is also planning to organise a race for young riders from the cycling school, from U7s to U15s, to round off the sporting season.
Training and equipment
The youngest riders train on Wednesdays, from 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm, in the Galisbay car park. Children from the ‘baby cycling’ group up to the U13s stay on site to practise handling and safety. As for the U15s, they go on a road ride at the same times. The U17s and seniors, meanwhile, meet on Saturday and Sunday mornings, between 6.00 am and 6.30 am, for road rides lasting between two and four hours. Helmets and gloves are compulsory for all riders. As the club does not have a storage facility, no equipment is available on site. For those without a bike, the club can lend a frame, and parents can then purchase the necessary parts for the bike. A one-month trial period is offered before membership. Once a member, each person receives a full kit in the club’s colours.
Registration and fees
The membership fee is €24 for ‘baby vélo’, €65 for U7 to U17 and from €90 for seniors, depending on the package chosen. An annual subscription of €50 is added to the membership fee. Training sessions are free. For further information, please call: 06 90 77 40 50.
