Ciego de Avila’s Randol Izquierdo stood out with gold in the under-23 category. Daymelín secured silver, and Marcos and Liannis bronze, all with places for Asunción 2025.
Gold, silver and a pair of bronze medals were secured by the Cubans in the under-23 road race at the 2024 Caribbean Road Cycling Championships in Guyana, securing tickets to the II Junior Pan American Games in Asunción 2025.
The avilanian Randol Izquierdo excelled by being included in the breakaway of nine riders to finish behind the elite champion, Cory Williams, from Belize, with the same time of 3:46.07 hours in the 155 kilometres agreed in the closing race.
His teammate, Amed Marcos, who was also among the escapees, crossed the finish line third in the under-23 age group to take the bronze medal, behind only Izquierdo and Derrick Chavarría of Belize.
«I’m very happy with the performance of both of them, Marcos also had an excellent performance, he came very well in the breakaway. I was able to get a good place in the sprint and he also made the podium, it is to feel satisfied, we got quotas for Cuba to the Asuncion Games,» Randol, who will be 20 years old in December, told JIT.
«My preparation was good, I had the opportunity to attend the Tour de Panama with the masters team and then I raced the two stages of the Orisbel Benítez national classic. I prepared well and I fulfilled my goal of achieving a good result for my country. I am very happy, especially grateful to my parents and all those who support me in this difficult sport,» he said.
Another Cuban who ran the road race, Ricardo Cardoso, from Havana, placed ninth.
For their part, the women again occupied the majority of the podium, as Daymelín Pérez from Holguín added another metal when she came second in the under-23 85 kilometre road race, behind the Dominican Flor Santo, with the same time of 2:07.13 hours.
Lianni Rachel Mesa, from Matanzas, also «sneaked» into the medals for the second day by taking the bronze medal, just one second behind the two leaders, to join her compatriot in qualifying Cuba for Asunción 2025.
Another Yumurina, Karel Martinez, crossed the finish line in fifth place. She and Liannis, both 18, reaffirmed their status as one of Cuba’s top female cycling prospects.
In the individual time trial, held on Saturday, Daymelín took the honours and the ticket to the Paraguayan capital with the best time not only among the under-23 competitors, but also among the elite, clocking 25:36.27 minutes in the 18-kilometre course.
Mesa finished third with a time of 27:27.34, second only to her compatriot and Kelianne Julus of Martinique (26.52.10).
