24/05/2023
Thanks to everyone riding, supporting and sponsoring Bike Caribbean classic race day!
Kelly creates bike history
by DWAYNE GIBBS [email protected]
BARBADIAN cycling champion Joshua Kelly made history by becoming the winner of the inaugural
Bike Caribbean Road Race in Featherbed Lane, St John on Sunday morning.
He competed in the Men’s Elite category and completed the 10 laps spanning 58 kilometres ahead of his brother Jacob Kelly, who took silver and bronze medallist Edwin Sutherland.
In the Women’s Elite category which attracted just two competitors, veteran Marissa Bradshaw took gold with Danielle Hinds secured silver.
Kelly explained why he decided to take part in the inaugural event although it had no bearing on his world ranking.
“I always love to support local races and I was back home and in the region for our upcoming Nationals so I thought it would be nice to support,” Kelly told MIDWEEK SPORT.
“Also, as I am scheduled to become a new dad soon, any extra money is always good to pay some bills. Overall, it was a fun weekend and I had lots of fun on my bike. It was another step towards the main goal which is National Championships in two weeks.”
Bike Caribbean is a young cycling club in Barbados founded by its coach Randy Licorish.
Awareness of cycling events
Monique Hinds, who is the club secretary and event coordinator, is also one of the chief minds behind the renowned Barbados Ninja Showdown competition which is also held on their property in St John.
She explained that the main motivation behind the event which comprised a road race, junior pump track race and cycle cross race, was to bring awareness to the various types of cycling events.
“It’s about building more awareness around cycling. My daughter is an avid cyclist and so is Randy and they are travelling to compete in gravel racing, so it was a chance to expose Barbadians to the different types of cycling events we have,” Hinds said.
Hinds said provisions were made to have the entire road race live streamed compliments drone footage and cameramen on motorcycles to ensure viewers caught the action in its entirety.
There were also cameras put at various points along the route to ensure a thorough spectator experience.
Hinds also said the long-term dream of Bike Caribbean is to become an official facilitator of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recognised races so that cyclists can come from all over the world to compete and earn vital points needed to compete at international events and the Olympic Games.
“Our dream at Bike Caribbean is to host a UCI-sanctioned race, working alongside the Barbados Cycling Union, who were very supportive of this event. Of course, we would have to meet certain criteria to host it, but what it would do is open Barbados as a destination for people to qualify for points. It would not only be good for the sport, but it also becomes a tourist attraction where people are not only coming to compete but for vacation.”
