CAC cyclists seek breakthrough despite hurdles

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic:

Jamaica’s cycling team returned home from the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo last week with renewed purpose and a clear roadmap for the future, despite finishing off the medal podium in several disciplines.

While the island’s elite riders did not secure medals, their performances highlighted both the emerging talent within the squad and the significant infrastructural hurdles that continue to stand between them and regional success.

In the Elite Women’s category, Llori Sharpe flew the flag with distinction. She delivered a gritty performance in the Individual Time Trial, finishing 11th, before backing it up with a 14th-place result in the gruelling Individual Road Race.

On the track, the Jamaican men showed flashes of speed. In the Elite Men’s Sprints, Daniel Palmer finished 12th, while teammate Demar Golding placed 10th. The Keirin event proved a tough battleground, with Palmer finishing 16th and Golding 13th. The most encouraging result came in the Men’s Omnium, where Andrew Ramsay secured a top-ten finish by placing eighth.

Ramsay, who credited his improvement to a shift in training focus, believes there is more to come.

“I have been doing more track preparation than road racing,” Ramsay stated. “That specific preparation is definitely helping me improve, and I feel like I am getting closer to where I need to be.”

Despite positive individual results, a recurring theme was the challenge of competing on a level playing field. The lack of a world-class velodrome and high-end equipment in Jamaica remains a massive barrier.

Speaking candidly, Ramsay highlighted the disparity between Jamaica and its rivals.

“The problem with us is that we don’t really have a velodrome to ourselves, a world-class velodrome that is really needed. Our team does not have all the equipment yet to fully specialise in what we need to do. That is very important; it can affect our development.

“We need the equipment to specialise and train with and get used to before coming out here. These guys have been in the space, and they have been using the equipment. We don’t have it, and when you come into the space, it’s like we have to close a massive gap all the time. Equipment would be a major help for us, and also funding.”

For Palmer, competing in his second CAC Games was a personal success despite the physical deficit.

“I could have come in with better form,” Palmer admitted, “but I am happy with what I have been able to achieve in the Jamaican colours.”

Meanwhile, Golding, a soldier with the Jamaica Defence Force, reflected on his performance in the sprints.

“I wasn’t comfortable competing in the sprints, but I did my best,” Golding said.

Since making his debut for Jamaica in 2017 at the Pan Am Games in Bolivia, Golding has been a stalwart of the squad, and his resilience in Santo Domingo underscored his commitment to the national cause.

As the team looks towards future competitions, the message from Santo Domingo is clear: the heart and talent are there, but bridging the equipment and financial gap is essential if Jamaica is to turn near-miss finishes into podium positions.