Mary Joyce Monton – Photo credit: Joyce Monton/Facebook
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: American cyclist Mary Joyce Monton of L39ION of Los Angeles opened her 2026 season in spectacular form, winning the 52‑mile Krem New Year’s Day Cycling Classic from Orange Walk to Belize City in 2:40:00, breaking Alicia Thompson’s long‑standing record of 2:43:30.
The victory marks Monton’s second consecutive title, after also winning the 2025 edition. Monton finished 7th in 2024.
Monton, who traded “rainy LA for sunny Belize” to start the year, expressed gratitude to the Cycling Federation of Belize and its president Glen Flowers for the continued invitation. “It’s become a tradition I really look forward to,” she wrote on social media, celebrating the race’s growth and rising competitive level.
“It’s been special to see the race continue to grow and the level get better,” Monton added. “I hope it continues to inspire more girls to ride and race bikes in Belize.”
She also thanked the [Justin] Williams family for their hospitality, saying she’s “always thankful” for the care they provide during her visits.
Monton’s back-to-back wins cement her status as a standout guest competitor in Belize’s cycling calendar, and her words echo a broader hope for increased women’s participation in the sport nationwide.
Behind the American champion, Kaya Cattouse of Loan 2 Go finished second, followed by Kadisha Francis of Imani’s Cycling Team in third, and Junior winner Irene Baki of Williams Racing Development in fourth — all sharing the same finishing time as Monton.
Francine Gigli of FJ’s Cycling Team placed fifth in 2:42:00, with Lianni Choto of Troyer Treats taking sixth. Nathalie Lovell and Gabrielle Lovell of Lovell Cycling Team finished seventh and eighth, matching Gigli’s time.
Unattached rider Kelsi Castillo and Celina Balderas of Troyer Treats completed the top ten.
The post American cyclist Mary Joyce Monton thanks Cycling Federation of Belize after back-to-back Krem New Year’s Day Classic victory appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Mary Joyce Monton – Photo credit: Joyce Monton/Facebook By Rubén Morales Iglesias: American cyclist Mary Joyce Monton of L39ION of Los Angeles opened her 2026 season in spectacular form, winning the 52‑mile Krem New Year’s Day Cycling Classic from Orange Walk to Belize City in 2:40:00, breaking Alicia Thompson’s long‑standing record of 2:43:30. The victory
The post American cyclist Mary Joyce Monton thanks Cycling Federation of Belize after back-to-back Krem New Year’s Day Classic victory appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
