Cyclist Llori Sharpe aiming to compete at world’s top events
Published:Saturday | January 1, 2022 | 12:06 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
National cyclist Llori Sharpe, who recently signed a one-year contract with European female cycling team Canyon/Sram Generation, says her ambition is to represent Jamaica in the world’s biggest events.
Sharpe, a former triathlete, has the distinction of representing and winning medals for her country in four different sports - cross country running, swimming, the triathlon and cycling.
She took the decision to focus solely on cycling after the COVID-19 pandemic limited her access to swimming and a knee injury prevented her from participating in running activities.
However, cycling was readily accessible and, as she gravitated more towards it, her passion grew to the point where she is now fully convinced she has found her calling and believes her move to Europe will assist her in achieving her goals.
“I really want to represent Jamaica on the grandest stages. Whether it’s the Olympics or World Championship, I want to be there, and this opportunity can get me closer to those goals.
“It (Canyon/Sram Generation) is a development team. It’s actually one of the first women’s development teams that has been assembled, and I am really excited to be a part of that,” she commented.
Sharpe pointed out that the race experience she will gather from competing against other top female riders across the world will help her improve all round. She also appreciates the fact that she will be training and competing with her gender consistently for a change.
“I look forward primarily to the race experience because racing here is very limited. There, I will be able to race frequently and alongside females, because I mainly train with the men and race against the men here (Jamaica).
“So, it would be nice for a change to race against women and train with women. I want my love for cycling developed and I am really excited about the opportunity. I want to learn more and develop my craft and see where the sports can take me.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
“There are things I need to work on to get better as a cyclist. There are technical aspects to improve, and this opportunity will enhance my skills and help me to improve,” she said.
The Canyon/Sram Generation team is as diverse as they come, and this is one of the aspects of the team Sharpe admires. The team also has one athlete each from South America, Africa and Asia, in addition to the European riders.
“We have a pretty good blend, so I am looking forward to being with them training and racing with them, and all that which comes with riding on the European circuit,” said the Pan Am Road Championship bronze medal winner.
The 21-year -old former St Andrew High student said her decision to go solely into cycling came about almost by chance.
“Initially, I sustained a knee injury that inhibited my running. Then, with the pandemic, all the pools were closed. So, to work out, I would have to be swimming in the sea all the time.
“But cycling was always there for me. I could just go on my bike and ride or I have my smart trainer at home where I do sessions. So cycling was always readily accessible and, the more I cycled, the more I developed a greater passion for it.
“I started watching a lot more racing videos and my passion grew and that inspired me to stick with it.
“So, I focus more time on it now and, although there is a lot more to learn, I believe I will get better eventually,” said Sharpe.
Meanwhile, the University of the West Indies student, whose visa application was twice denied by the German embassy, is optimistic the visa will be granted before her scheduled January 13 departure.
“The visa acquisition is being sorted as we speak. Hopefully, I will get that in time for my departure,” she said.