Two of the island’s most promising young cyclists, brothers Jesse and Joshua Kelly, are heading to Colombia on a training programme and seeking to make bigger impressions in international events in 2015.
With the assistance of Massy United Insurance, the Kelly brothers will spend three months in Bogota, training at higher altitude with highly rated Colombian coach Manuel Galingdez.
“It is a tougher programme for us, training at altitude and racing at that level, but we are looking forward to it. Along with the training, there will be races almost every weekend, with over 100 riders in competition,” said Jesse Kelly.
Jesse, 20, and Joshua, 18, are scheduled to leave Barbados for Colombia on Monday 19 and return in April, just in time for the National Road Race Championships in Barbados in April.
New colours
The Kelly brothers, including third brother, 15 year-old Joshua Kelly, who remains at school in Barbados, will all be wearing the new colours of Massy United Insurance this season, in both local and regional competitions, after being recently presented with their sponsored kits by Trudy Bellamy, marketing coordinator of Massy United Insurance.
“We have a long history of supporting youth and sports and Massy United Insurance is happy to play a part in helping these young riders to fulfil their dreams,” said Mickey Armstrong, director of marketing.
Last season, the young riders showed great improvement riding with the Heatwave Club in Trinidad and they are all looking forward to competing in Barbados and Trinidad again in 2015.
Joshua, who won a silver medal in the time-trial at the 2014 Caribbean Junior Championships in Suriname, is also hoping that the stint in Colombia will prepare him for the Pan American road-race championships in Mexico in May.