26 riders to compete in the Men’s Junior Race and 11 in the Women’s Race
Miami Blazers’ Cory Williams (center) won the 2025 KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic, Valvoline’s Oscar Quiroz (left) was 2nd, and Mexican Miguel Angel Cendales López (right) was third. Photo Credit: Ordonez Bike Shop
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize’s cycling season will open in grand fashion on at 9:00 am Thursday as the Cycling Federation of Belize and KREM Radio present the 35th Annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic, with a deep and competitive field across all categories. A total of 65 elite riders, including Masters and Under‑23 competitors, are registered for the marquee event from the Belize–Mexico Border to Belize City. Another 26 junior riders and 11 women riders will take the start from Orange Walk Town Hall.
The 2026 edition arrives on the heels of a dramatic and rain‑soaked 2025 Classic, where Cory Williams of the Miami Blazers powered to victory on Central American Boulevard. Williams, who finished second in 2024, surged past Valvoline’s Oscar Quiroz in the final meters to claim the title. Mexican rider Miguel Ángel Cendales took third, followed by Jyven Gonzalez and Canadian Jean‑Michel Lachance.
In the Masters categories last year, A. Mahler DIGI Alliance swept the Over‑35 podium with Byron Pope taking the win ahead of teammate Henry Moreira, while Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden of SPD Cycling secured third. The Over‑50 race delivered an emotional moment as Dwayne Wade of BZ‑Boyz closed his Elite career with a triumphant victory. Robert Liam Stewart (Unattached) and Roque Matus of M&M Engineering rounded out the top three.
Miami Blazers’ Cory Williams slipped past Oscar Quiroz on Central American Boulevard in Belize City on January 1, 2025, to take the 34th KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic. Photo Credit: Ordonez Bike Shop
The Junior/Youth division saw Devyn Major of G‑Flow claim the 2025 title after outsprinting Griga Cycling’s Tamron Lewis and Valvoline’s Keith Enwright on Central American Boulevard. In the Women’s Elite race, American Mary Joyce Monton of Blazers dominated the 54‑mile Orange Walk–to–Belize City route, finishing ahead of Francine Gigli and Norma Nunez.
The Women Junior/Youth category was won by Irene Baki of Williams Racing Development (WRD), with Chelsy Gillett (Imani Cycling Team) and Lianni Choto (Troyer Treats Cycling Team) completing the podium.
As the 2026 Classic approaches, fans are eager to see whether Williams will defend his crown, whether Belize’s top contenders can reclaim the title, and which rising juniors and women will break through on New Year’s morning.
With strong fields across all divisions and the traditional highway crowds expected, the 35th KREM Classic promises another fast, fierce, and memorable start to the cycling year.
2025 Elite Race Top 20 Finishers:
- Cory Williams – Miami Blazers (Record time: 3:23:23)
- Oscar Quiroz – Valvoline Cycling Team
- Miguel Angel Cendales Lopez – JP Tribikes Cycling Team (Mexico)
- Jyven Gonzalez – G-Flow Cycling Team
- Jean-Michel Lachance – Knix & Knax Transit Cycling Team (Canada)
- Derrick Chavarria – G-Flow Cycling Team
- Carlton Robinson – A. Mahler/Digi Alliance Cycling Team
- Jaylen Briceno – G-Flow Cycling Team
- Delton Rojas – Rolling Shattaz Cycling Team
- Luis Lopez – LL Cycling Team (Honduras)
- Jafari Castro – G-Flow Cycling Team
- Byron Pope – A. Mahler/Digi Alliance Cycling Team
- Dylan Levy – Valvoline Cycling Team
- Henry Moreira – A. Mahler/Digi Alliance Cycling Team
- Hollis Baptist – G-Flow Cycling Team
- Kenroy ‘Smokes’ Gladden – SPD Cycling Team
- Jairo Campos – Wateva Boyz Cycling Team
- Fernando Rosado – A. Mahler/Digi Alliance Cycling Team
- Joshua Fuller – Team Santino’s Cycling Team
- Giovanni Lovell – Lovell Cycling Team
The post 35th KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic set to roll with 65 elite riders appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
26 riders to compete in the Men’s Junior Race and 11 in the Women’s Race Miami Blazers’ Cory Williams (center) won the 2025 KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic, Valvoline’s Oscar Quiroz (left) was 2nd, and Mexican Miguel Angel Cendales López (right) was third. Photo Credit: Ordonez Bike Shop By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize’s cycling
The post 35th KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic set to roll with 65 elite riders appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
