Cyclists to step up prep for World Champs race
Published:Monday | August 23, 2021 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
After qualifying for the International Cycling Union (UCI) Under-23 World Road Championships that is scheduled to run from September 18-26 in Flanders, Jamaica’s road racing coach Adrian Clarke said that despite the short time to prepare, they will get the riders ready physical and mentally to challenge some of the world’s best.
“We will look to put in the preparation because this is a bigger race, and much more is expected of the guys even though we have a short period to prepare,” said Jamaica’s coach Adrian Clarke, looking forward to the World Championships. “But we will prepare them because they are up for the task.”
Llori Sharp, the PanAm female time trial bronze medallist, along with Under-23s Kevan Pryce and Brandon Baker, will contest the annual time trial event.
“It is the first time for all three on the World Championship stage, and it is a big thing for them, so I am going to have to prepare them mentally for this challenge,” Clarke admitted.
“We were of one the three countries in the Caribbean that finished the PanAm race along with Cuba and Dom Rep, and as a result of that performance, we qualified,” he noted of the recent PanAm Road Championship.
Clarke added: “Llori Sharpe finished third in the individual time trial. so we are very pleased with the team. We suspected that we might have qualified, but it wasn’t a definite thing. But the guys put in the work and it paid off,” Clarke told The Gleaner when they got news of their qualification on Saturday.
Continuing, Clarke said that the Dr Wayne Palmer-led administration is delighted to see their progress.
“This federation set out to give cyclists opportunities to showcase their talent on the world stage so scouts can offer them professional contracts and scholarships. So we are on the right path and will now double our efforts,” he stated.
Clarke also said “thanks to the Jamaica Olympics Association (JOA) and Sports Development Foundation (SDF) for their continued help and support”.