Riders from smaller nations shine at Worlds
My day at the Worlds, INEOS academy, transfer news + more news from the world of cycling
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It has been a mixed opening few days for smaller nations at the Super Worlds in Scotland.
There has been some success, such as Shunsuke Imamura taking an impressive third pace in the Men’s Elite Omnium on Sunday evening.
I went to Glasgow on Saturday with my 5-year-old - it was his first experience of live racing and we were both very excited to be there!
We spent the morning at the velodrome. R decided that he wanted Italy to win everything because he likes pizza. Cycling is simpler when you’re 5. He also wants to have a go at the Team Pursuit - maybe one day, kiddo.
I am not an avid track fan. Like many of us, I dip in and out for the big events. Dipping back in on Saturday I was aware of a growth in the depth of track cycling among the south east Asian nations. Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia were particularly well represented. South east Asia have a long history on the boards, but that seems to be strengthening greatly, with more and more riders competing at a high level. I have no evidence to back this up, just a general feeling of encouragement at the globalisation of track cycling.
There was one moment that irked my slightly, fully aware that I may be over-sensitive to these things. Local lad Jack Carlin burst to the top of the leaderboard in the sprint qualifying 200-metre TT to rapturous celebration, he had put in a great ride that would eventually se him qualify fifth fastest.
As the celebrations died down, stadium commentator Marty McDonnell announced the next rider, Jaïr Tjon En Fa from Suriname. The reception for him was an audible “huh?” from the crowd around where I was sitting.
They could fully understand that someone from Glasgow could be a cyclist, and a good one. But how could someone from Suriname be here? It’s not possible. He must be terrible. That’s why they were so surprised when Jaïr Tjon En Fa finished within two-hundredths of a second of Carlin a few moments later.
Prejudice. We all have it. It’s not always our fault. But we should all aim to be more self-aware.
We headed away from the velodrome a bit early and back to the city centre to watch some of the junior men’s road race. Apparently we avoided a rush on the trains as the velodrome kicked the crowd out at the same time as the adjacent Celtic Park football ground.
While we were inside, the junior women’s race had played out in the morning. Only one African junior managed to finish the race, South Africa’s Anika Visser.
That figure was the same for the men, another South African, Ryno Schutte, finished in 61st place. However, that basic stat denies one African junior credit for a very creditable performance.
Lawrence Lorot of Uganda was racing his first race outside of Africa. He spent most of the race in a decent second chasing group. Lorot is part of the INEOS academy in Kenya and is their brightest current prospect. You’ll notice his Pinarello and INEOS branded helmet and bottles.
Lorot was pulled out of the race with one lap to go due to the 10-minute delay rule. He had never ridden a race of this length before and wasn’t able to eat the amount of sugary carbohydrates needed to sustain himself.
One of the staff at INEOS told me: “It’s [a] great experience and for sure he’s a talent we need to support in future.”
He’ll be back for the TT this week - a discipline in which he finished second in the African continental championships.
The men’s race was an incredible watch. I know the circuit has had mixed reviews, but I am a big fan. It’s something different and guarantees excitement.
The event was dominated by the bigger nations. Unfortunately, my outsider pick, Ecuador’s Jhonatan Narvaez, crashed out from a good position with a few laps to go.
We’re off to Stirling tomorrow to take in most of the TTs this week and will be at the BMX and women’s elite road race on Sunday.
Transfer News
It’s silly season, so I’ll be bringing you all the latest transfers involving riders from smaller nations.
Sergio Chumil (Gua) → Burgos BH
Guatemala’s first pro since Jose Rolando Ovando rode for Oncé in 1991. Chumil has had an excellent couple of seasons racing the Spanish amateur scene and is rewarded with two years at Burgos BH.
Other News
Bermuda’s Kaden Hopkins took his first win for Vendée U at the Tour de la Guadeloupe. He won a small group sprint on stage 2 and sits third overall.
Young Eritrean Petros Mengse won his first stage race at the UCI 2.2 100th Anniversary Tour of The Republic. He took the lead from his team-mate Max Stedman on the final day queen stage.
Argentina’s Maria Yapura Plaza won the Grand-Prix Oberbaselbiet in Switzerland
19-year-old Aklilu Arefayne took 9th place on stage 3 of the Tour de la Province de Namur. Good preparation ahead of Saturday’s under-23 road race.
Uruguay’s Thomas Silva was third at the Xanisteban Xaria-Oiartzun
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