MARIGOT—Velo Club de Sandy Ground (VCSG) rider Jahkim Carty showed his racing credentials were never in doubt after winning the Cadet category at the Grand Prix Madras Cycling Club Race in Guadeloupe on Saturday.
In the most anticipated race of the day, Carty (15) timed his explosive finishing sprint to perfection, launching his attack behind the four riders in front of him to win the 68K race from a field of 44 riders, mostly from Guadeloupe and a couple from Martinique. Team mate Kennedy Hodge finished in 19th place. It was mostly a flat race with some hills.
This was Carty’s third race in Guadeloupe in the past year, after previously finishing in third place and a second place, and now making it onto the podium in all three races.
“It was an intense race from the beginning consisting of eight laps,” coach Patricio “Blade” Carty reported. “There was a breakaway on the fourth lap with two guys, and another one on the fifth from a Martinique rider but Jahkim covered the attacks and on the lap before the last one he was on the front pulling his group to catch the two groups in front.
“He did a wonderful job, keeping up a constant pace, watching and waiting until he could get himself into the right position. He showed how strong he was to close the gaps and then pull off a fantastic finish.”
In other VCSG results, Blade’s daughter Blaydisha Carty was first in the pre-license category (5 to 6 years) and Artsen Keithan took fourth place in the Poussin category (7-8 years). The Pupilles category (9-10 years) saw Wilmy Guillaumette take second place and Kelan Edwards Lewest was first in Benjamin’s (10-11 years).
In the Minimes category (12 to 13 years) Kendly Gervais finished second and Widner Guillaumette was fifth. D’ Andre Burgan had a fall and abandoned the race while Edgar Brooks Mercedes had to retire with a mechanical problem.
“I was very pleased with the results from our group and our youth level is right up there,” Blade added. “The Guadeloupe riders are not stronger than us. It shows that our training programme is really bearing fruit with the children. Even in Guadeloupe they are noticing the work being done in St. Martin. We came out with most of the trophies. Overall, it was a good experience for them.”
Blade disclosed talks are ongoing with the French-side Cycling Committee to place Jahkim in a team in France to further his racing potential. In the meantime, he will focus on trying to win the Tour of Guadeloupe this year in Cadets. Last year in the same race he won the Best Young Rider white jersey.
