International cycling set for Jamaica

TOP INTERNATIONAL cycling is set to descend again on the island’s western end as the third annual Jamaica International Cycling Classic is set for April 5 to 7.

Some 10 international cycling teams are expected on the island, including the defending champions Team 706 out of the United States, along with clubs from Colombia, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and possibly, a team from Rwanda, according to race director and conceptualiser, Carlton Simmonds.

History will be created at the event, as the three-day, three-stage, 320-mile elite event has been officially sanctioned by cycling’s world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

The latest development is pleasing to Simmonds, who believes the nation is on the cusp of making it one of the biggest cycling events globally.

“The competition is going to be very intense as we have moved from three teams in the first year, to five in year two, and now we have over 10 teams taking part, including the number-one club out of South America, so this is truly a top-level world-class cycling event right here in Jamaica,” said Simmonds.

The 2024 course, which starts and ends in Montego Bay, will be a repeat of the challenging 2023 route. Six King of the Mountain (KOM) stages will also be contested with the cyclists vying for a total prize money of over US$11,000 with a maximum top prize of US$3,100.

This year’s race will not include under-18 or female races.

Eighteen-year-old national cyclist, Damaine Douglas, who will be taking part as a first-year elite, is looking to soak up all the knowledge from all the international cyclists that will be on show.

“I want to go out there and give it my all and a top-10 finish would be a good outing for me. A podium finish would also be a great achievement, seeing that this is the biggest road event in the country and the region.”