L39ION of Los Angeles Justin Williams (center) won the 2026 KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic, his teammate Jyven Gonzalez (left) was 2nd, and Valvoline’s Oscar Quiroz (right) was third. Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Justin Williams of L39ION of Los Angeles opened the 2026 season by breaking the New Year’s Day Classic record, surpassing the mark set last year by his brother Cory Williams. Cory’s 2025 record of 3:23:23 came over a slightly shorter 91‑mile course due to a rolling start, but Justin’s performance over the full 92 miles from the Belize–Mexico border was even faster.
Williams stormed into Belize City in 3:17:51, averaging 27.6 mph, and crossed the Central American Boulevard finish line hand in hand with teammate Jyven Gonzalez after the pair controlled the final stretch of the race. Williams captured the title, Gonzalez took second, and Oscar Quiroz secured third after leading the chase behind the L39ION duo.
After the finish, Williams told Krem Radio that it took him 21 years to finally win this race. He first rode the Classic at 15, and now at 36, he joked that the long wait made the victory even sweeter.
Gonzalez acknowledged that Justin had given him the opportunity to be part of the L39ION of Los Angeles team, and that helping deliver this victory was the right thing to do. At 23, he noted, he has many chances ahead of him. The original plan had been to ride for Cory Williams, Justin’s brother, to repeat as champion, but once the race dynamics shifted, the team committed to their leader.
Justin, already a two‑time Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic champion, added another major Belizean title to his résumé.
Justin Williams of L39ION of Los Angeles (right) won the 2026 Krem’s New Year’s Day Cycling Classic along with teammate Jyven Gonzalez. Photo: XTV Belize screenshot
Late‑Race Turning Point
The race swung decisively in L39ION’s favor as the riders approached Belize City. Gonzalez surged to the front and lifted the tempo, while Williams — who had briefly drifted back earlier — closed the gap with a determined effort. By this point, they were rapidly closing in on the women’s field, which had started in Orange Walk at 9:30 a.m., thirty minutes after the men and over a thirty‑mile shorter distance. Once reunited, the two swept past the leading women’s riders at the city entrance, a clear sign of the speed they were carrying into the finish.
Behind them, the chase group of Quiroz, Cory Williams, John DeLong, Tarique Flowers, Ignacio Prado, and Kenyon Stanford continued to work, but the leaders were already out of reach. Williams and Gonzalez then rode the final miles side by side, delivering one of the most striking finishes the Classic has seen in years.
How the Race Took Shape Earlier
Soon after the race passed Corozal Town, 2023 winner Derrick Chavarría launched an early solo move, pushing ahead of the main field in an effort to force the pace. He was eventually reeled in, but his attack helped set the blistering tempo that would later produce the record‑breaking winning time.
The next major move began in Orange Walk Town, where Gonzalez claimed the $1,000 Shell Gas Station prize. Soon after, a four‑man breakaway emerged:
- Jyven Gonzalez (L39ION)
• Byron Pope (A. Mahler Digi Alliance)
• Tarique Flowers
• Kenyon Stanford (G‑Flow)
Justin bridged the gap and Pope fell back, changing the makeup of the quartet. Their cooperation quickly pushed the gap beyond two minutes.
Jyven Gonzalez captures $1,000 station prize in Orange Walk during the 2026 Krem’s New Year’s Day Classic. Photo: XTV Belize screenshot
Later on, Mexican rider Ignacio Prado, who had separated himself from the chase group, found himself isolated, passing the Crooked Tree roundabout alone at 11:12 a.m. Minutes earlier, at Mile 30, DeLong, Quiroz, and Cory Williams had launched an attack from the chase group. They eventually reeled in Prado at 11:18 a.m., forming a strong four‑man pursuit.
Approaching Sandhill, the race settled into a clear formation — four leaders, four chasers, and the main group behind — with the gap narrowing to 1:25. Cory Williams conserved energy while the others rotated through the workload.
Coming into Belize City, Gonzalez made a powerful move and Justin followed. They maintained the lead into the city as the chase group reeled in Flowers and Stanford.
Top 3
- 1st — Justin Williams (L39ION of Los Angeles)
- 2nd — Jyven Gonzalez (L39ION of Los Angeles)
- 3rd — Oscar Quiroz (Valvoline Cycling Club)
L39ION of Los Angeles’s tactical control from the Belize District all the way into Belize City produced a commanding and emotional start to the 2026 cycling season.
The post Justin Williams sets new record for Krem’s New Year’s Day Cycling Classic appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
L39ION of Los Angeles Justin Williams (center) won the 2026 KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic, his teammate Jyven Gonzalez (left) was 2nd, and Valvoline’s Oscar Quiroz (right) was third. Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Justin Williams of L39ION of Los Angeles opened the 2026 season by breaking the New Year’s Day
The post Justin Williams sets new record for Krem’s New Year’s Day Cycling Classic appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
