Sharpe was on the podium twice in her pro debut in Spain on Saturday.
Contributed
It was with a sense of disbelief that Llori Sharpe stepped onto the podium in Spain at the conclusion of the Liga Autonomica de Féminas in Spain on Saturday.
In what was the first race of her professional career, Sharpe finished in third place in the Elite Category and second place in the Under 23 Category.
Her Rwanda teammate Valentine Nzayisenga finished in fifth place from a line-up of 110 riders. The 79 km, three-lap event included 6 km of gravel.
Sharpe signed a one-year contract with the German cycling team Canyon-SRAM Generation in December 2021, becoming the first Jamaican cyclist to sign with a European ream. On Saturday, the former triathlete began repaying their faith in signing her.
Still, it was a surreal moment for the 21-year-old Sports Science student at the University of the West Indies.
“When it just happened, I honestly couldn't believe it, but it has finally sunk in and I'm really proud of myself and my efforts today (Saturday),” she told Sportsmax.TV while explaining the successful strategy.
“I think I was able to read the race and my competitors well and just had to make my move when I felt the time was right.”
The success she enjoyed on Saturday, has not come without sacrifices. Sharpe has been living in Spain since mid-January, away from her family and those closest to her. She reveals that it has not been easy.
“Some days I feel really good and on others, I really miss my friends and family back home. The weather doesn't make it any easier since it’s not what I'm used to. But, I think to advance in anything in life whether personally, professionally or otherwise, one has to get out of their comfort zone, so although the adjustment has been tough at times, that's how I'll grow and develop not just in cycling, but as an individual,” she reasoned.
Otherwise, she has been pleased with her progress as she takes the first steps into competition in her professional career.
“Preparations have been going well, I'd say, and I'm glad that I'm now in an environment that's conducive to my progression in cycling,” she said.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Aspas urges Veiga to stay with Celta as 'four of Premier League top 10' weigh up €40million offers
Spain striker Iago Aspas wants Premier League target Gabri Veiga to stay with Celta Vigo – but even the club's president is struggling to see that happening.
The 20-year-old Veiga is among the most coveted midfielders in LaLiga, scoring nine goals and adding three assists in the Spanish top flight this season.
He has the most goal involvements – combined goals and assists – of all midfield players in LaLiga in the 2022/23 campaign.
This is despite Veiga only starting 18 league games so far, also coming off the bench seven times.
Aspas spoke at Spain's press conference on Thursday about the youngster, who has been linked with clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United.
"I would like him to remain with us," Aspas said. "The club is in a good moment both as an institution and in the sporting side. We are doing little but very good steps and next year we have the centenary of the club."
Celta president Carlos Mourino accepts the club are likely to be powerless to prevent Veiga moving on, because he has a release clause in his contract. That is reported to be €40million (£35.4million), potentially a great deal if Veiga continues to excel.
"We do not want to sell Gabri Veiga, but they are going to buy him from us. And there isn't anything we can do about it," Mourino said.
Mourino explained there is extensive interest from England in Veiga, saying: "Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked for him."
Asked whether Real Madrid may also make a move, Mourino said: "They haven't asked us, we don't know if they will have called the player."
Quoted in Mundo Deportivo, Mourino said it was not the case that Veiga is for sale, merely that Celta would be unable to prevent him walking away if the clause is met.
"The decision is Gabri's," Mourino said. "He will play wherever he wants."
Spain 'had no plan B' with Luis Enrique – Iago Aspas points to reason for World Cup failure
Luis Enrique had no 'plan B' and Spain suffered a premature World Cup exit as a consequence, according to Iago Aspas.
Veteran striker Aspas missed out on the squad for Qatar 2022 but has been recalled by Luis Enrique's successor, Luis de la Fuente, for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Scotland.
The 35-year-old Celta Vigo player was powerless to prevent Spain losing to Morocco on penalties after a goalless stalemate at the last-16 stage of the World Cup.
"I was wishing Spain to score," Aspas said on Thursday, looking back at that game.
"With Luis Enrique we had a very defined game style. For me, who in future could become a coach, we did not have plan B, and when plan A was stuck there wasn't plan B or other types of footballers to try to revert that situation. From my point of view."
Aspas knowingly added: "Now the headline is easy, of course."
Luis Enrique felt Aspas did not contribute sufficiently from a defensive perspective for Spain.
De la Fuente has chosen to see for himself what the former Liverpool player might be able to achieve for the national team in the twilight of his playing career.
Reflecting on Luis Enrique's reasoning, Aspas said: "I didn't agree really, but didn't have a chat with Luis Enrique to talk about this. I do not know if he said that referring to me specifically, but in my team I run like anyone else.
"Data is there and anyone can see how I can make 10 kilometres per game each weekend. We [at Celta] are a team that cannot leave one player without defending because other teams could then destroy you.
"I was an important footballer in my [club] team, but when I have come to the national team in other occasions I think that I have demonstrated that I am a versatile player who can play on different positions: behind the striker or as a striker, or on the side. So I am here to help and for what the coach needs."
Spain lost an attacking option on Thursday when Bryan Gil pulled out of the squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Norway due to "discomfort that has prevented him from exercising normally".
De la Fuente does not plan to call in a replacement for the player who is on loan to Sevilla from Tottenham.
Fraser McConnell caps off NitroRX season with podium finish as Dreyer & Reinbold claims team title
Jamaica’s lone rally cross driver Fraser McConnell capped off a fine 2022/23 Nitro Rally Cross season by finishing second in the season finale Group E Round 10 event at Glen Helen Raceway in California last weekend. McConnell demonstrated his tactical prowess during the damp six-lap final, only to be edged out by Dreyer&Reinbold Swedish teammate Robin Larsson, who took the final event in a time of 4:58:964.
Norway’s Andreas Bakkerud made it a clean sweep for team DRR after finishing third.
For his efforts, McConnell ended the overall championship third in Nitro RX 2022/23 and his contribution also allowed for team DRR to secure the team title which was pleasing for the Jamaican. “It has been a really great season in Nitro with me having a lot on the table and racing alongside people like Travis Pastrana, who is my childhood hero,” McConnell said.
“To be able to get third in the Championship with such a stacked field, was a big accomplishment for myself and Jamaica.”
McConnell entered the final day as one of the top five racers who were close in the championship standings. With Larsson eventually sewing up the championship, it was down to McConnell and Pastrana to see who would finish second and third, with the American just edging out the Jamaican in the last race of the season.
Following another successful season made possible by the support of sponsors Tru Shake, Just Bet, Proven Wealth, Jamaica Tourist Board and Rainforest Seafood, McConnell is already looking ahead to next season with his team in talks with the Nitro RX organizers to kick off the new season in June of this year.
“I am very happy with where I am at in my career and this past season really developed me as a driver. This shows that I can compete and beat the best in the world,” added McConnell.
After a break back home, McConnell will next turn his attention to the X44 Vida Carbon Racing, the Extreme E Team founded by Seven-Time Formula 1 Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton.
McConnell will join season-two winner and World Champion Cristina Gutiérrez as his race partner.
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