Old Harbour cyclist jets off to Panama to represent Jamaica

Dixon, 16, has been doing some “extreme training” for what is widely regarded as the most important cycling event in the Americas within the cycling world.

This is the second overseas championship in six months for the Old Harbour Glades resident who finished fourth among his peers in the Road Junior Caribbean Championships in the Dominica Republic.

His aim now is a podium finish.

“I have been doing some extreme training since the start of this year and I think I have the legs to pull off a win,” said the St Catherine High School student in an interview with Old Harbour News.

Jamaica, represented by Dixon and Damain Douglas of Chain Revolution Cycling Club, are amongst 44 countries, slated to compete at the event being hosted for the first time by a Central American nation. 

The event is scheduled to commence April 18 through to the 23rd. Riders will aim to get a good position for Saturday’s main event when they line up for the time trials on Friday.
Dixon, the reigning national junior champion, says being able to compete overseas feeds his confidence.

“It bill up my confidence in terms of riding with people you’re not familiar with, learning how people ride during the race, not knowing them or anything about them, not knowing who is strong or whatever, just watching their moves,” he said.

“Honestly I don’t know the type of course we’re going to be riding on,” he added. “I don’t know what is the amount of miles. I don’t know anything. We’re just going to go out there couple days before the race to get familiar with the environment.

President of Elevation Cycling Club Velana Creary, says she expect her top rider to do well and make the country, the club and community proud.

Dixon and Douglas are scheduled to return home on April 25. Kamar Jordan of the Jamaica Cycling Federation is manager of the three-member delegation.
This is the 37th edition of Road Continental Pan-Am Championships.

The event caters to elite, under-23 and junior riders among men, and elite and junior for women, in the modalities of individual time trial and road.

This version grants a direct quota and important points for the UCI world ranking towards the qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.