Old Harbour cycling club aims high at international classic

More than 10 teams from across three continents are already on the island to battle for top prizes from a purse of US$11,120.

The Elevation Cycling Club was formed in 2021 and has quickly established itself as one of the top clubs in the country, hosting frequent development race meets while boasting some of the nation’s top riders in both elite and junior categories.

This is the first time, however, they will be competing in the Jamaica International Classic and according to club president Velena Creary to compete at this level means a lot to them.

“It is very important for us to participate in such a huge event in Jamaica. Our programme is developing youth, so sending them to this international event expose them to the different levels of cycling that we don’t have in Jamaica.

“This level of cycling and competing against different cyclists from all over that will be participating in this event, will actually teach our elite riders more advance cycling. So when they go away they will know what to expect in other upcoming events we have abroad,” Creary tells Old Harbour News.

Orwyn Richmond, coach of Elevation says the team has covered over 5,000 miles in preparation for this event and is satisfied that the riders are race ready.

“It will be a challenge but as it is in any challenge in life once they continue with the positive mindset that they have, the inspiration that they draw from each other… this will come out in execution now as we see the riders put crank to the wheels,” said Richmond, who added that the event is a dream for many of his riders.

“I think we have the capabilities to win all aspect of the race. We are looking for a clean sweep. These guys have put so much into this that I don’t see them giving up without the best of a fight.”

Team manager Arthur Compass, said: “Team Elevation is ready to take the championship. We did our morning pre-race workout and our team is supremely confident in taking this championship.”

Riders’ nous and stamina will be truly put to the test over this 320-mile course which also has been accredited by the international cycling union, the sport’s governing body.  This is significant for the Caribbean country as it is the first cycling event to be internationally accredited by the UCI, opening the door for the hosting of many more international cycling events on the island.

This stamp of approval from the UCI comes with multiple benefits, said Carlton Simmonds, who is the race director.

Simmonds, a former Jamaican cyclist turn coach, says race and stage winners in the JICC will earn qualifying points that affords them the chance to compete in the Olympics, Pan-American Games, the Commonwealth Games among other major continental and global meets.

Furthermore, the JICC will attract a higher caliber of cyclists with expectation that the event will likely increase in number and stature.

“More teams from North American have confirmed registration and for the first time, a team from Europe will make the long trip to Jamaica,” said Simmonds. “All of which endorses our ambition to become a destination for cycling within the Caribbean.”

Simmonds, the founder of Simmonds High Velocity Cycling Club, added: “The 2024 course will be a repeat of the challenging 2023 route.  We will aim to add an inland mountain route in 2025.  There will be six King of the Mountain (KOM) stages."

“The 2024 course will start and end in Montego Bay and will take in the stunning vistas of Jamaica’s north-eastern coastline.”

Cable television company, SportsMax, is the broadcast partner and will provide live coverage across its various platforms.

While the main top prize will be US$3,100 for the overall team champion, there will be other sectional prizes for the King of the Mountain, and the Sprints.

The USA’s Team 706 are the defending champions and will be a major force throughout all three stages of this classic, while top teams from Columbia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Cayman Islands will certainly add plenty spice and fierce competition as well.