Russell wins bronze in regional cycling champs

Jamaica’s Melaika Russell earned the island’s lone medal at the Caribbean Junior Road Cycling Championships as she rode away with a bronze medal.

Russell took part in the junior female road race in Sandy Ground, St Martin, on Sunday.

“Well done to the team that represented the black, green, and gold at the Caribbean Junior Cycling Championships in St Martin this weekend,” said the Jamaica Cycling Federation in an Instagram post. “To the individual and collective coaching and support system behind each of these athletes, this could not have been possible without you!”

Russell,who was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Youth Award in the category of sports, also placed sixth in the individual time trial, 2:33 minutes off the winner, Sandy Delta Souama of Guadeloupe, who completed the circuit in 16-minutes and 45 seconds.

Russell’s teammate, Jordanio James, was seventh, which was 2:53 off the pace.

The nation’s lone male competitor, Khalil Francis, placed 12th in the boys’ time trial, with 4:33 off the winning time of 29-minutes and 16 seconds by Jakhim Carty of Guadeloupe.

The three-member team was supported by coach Adrian Clarke, manager and chaperone Janneille Morgan, and personal coach Arthur Compass.

Next on the Jamaica Cycling Federation’s list of events is the national trials, which is scheduled for the National Stadium on August 17 and 18.