In the month that is about to end Cuban cycling lived important moments with a visit to the Island of the president of the UCI Patrick McQuaid and the medals won at the Aguascalientes World Cup.
Intense and full of the good news was January for the Cuban cycling. Beginning this 2013 Patrick McQuaid, head of the International Cycling Union (UCI) visited Cuba and a little later came Aguascaliente’s excellent results, in Mexico, which the third phase of the World Cup Track Cycling recently concluded.
From McQuaid’s stay in our country, in the occasion of the ordinary convention of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI), Cuba profited dearly. First, Cubans were able to show done here in cycling and the Irishman was satisfied.
Second, he backed up Cuban José Peláez’s reelection as head of the cycling world’s leading organization in this geographical area. And third, he revealed his commitment to helping athletes in this area of the planet in order to achieve outstanding results in the Olympic Games in Rio, 2016.
But that was not all. In an effort to develop cycling in America and at the same time in our country, it was on his agenda-and it is-take steps to achieve the return of Cuba Cycling Tour, absent since 2011.
There are many expectations about it, we all hope to do have it and, at least, it is among the main objectives in the management of Hector Ruiz, new national commissioner of the sport.
World Cup in Aguascalientes
Among the best cyclist in the third stage of the World Cup of Aguascalientes, Lisandra Guerra and Dominguez Yudelmis once again showed that they are, not coincidentally, in the elite of the sport.
The first of the great joys was of Yudelmis, third in the point’s race and thus earning 220 units, enough to settle in the third spot in the event. The girl is still on the rise and the proof is that for the first time in her career she achieved to finish in such distinguished position.
Here in Mexico Lisandra also shone with a silver medal in individual speed. Is that the award for her work? Well, now she is the fifth of the world in the specialty with 500 points, where she rose to from the fourteenth place. And to confirm the level of young but experienced rider, it is worth remembering that the Matanzas rider was sixth in London Olympic Games.
Another cyclist with a good performance was Marlies Mejias, fifth in omnium with 46 points, test in which Jean Carlos Arias premiered at international competitions and was ranked in 13th place with 80 units.
Simply said, Cuba’s cycling is worth praising these days, which despite having a small team, totally young, managed to be included in the 13 spot in the medal standings commanded by Poland, the Russian professional team Rusvelo and France, in that order.
This January is almost over, but still the activity of cycling. Now a Cuban team participates in the Seventh Tour de San Luis, Argentina. The squad’s commanded by two-time national champion and bronze medalist in Guadalajara 2011 Pan-American Games, Arnold Alcolea, and is accompanied by Yasmani Martínez, Pedro Portuondo, Yenier López, Lisnandi Alonso and Agustín Martínez.
Also, Cuba intensifies the training of the main exponents of the sport with an eye in February, the month in which, from February 4 through the 11 Mexico City will host the Pan American tournament, and from the 20 through the 24 Minsk (Belarus)will host the World Championship.
Author
Reynier Batista Morales
