Kaya Cattouse criticizes Cycling Federation of Belize’s decision to include junior riders in Women’s Cross Country, threatens to sit out

Posted: Friday, April 11, 2025. 11:05 am CST.

Kaya Cattouse – Photo Credit: Kaya Cattouse

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize’s top female cyclist, Kaya Cattouse, has voiced strong opposition to the Cycling Federation of Belize’s (CFB) recent decision to allow Junior Youth Women cyclists to compete in the upcoming Women’s Cross Country Cycling Classic this Sunday.

Cattouse, a dominant force in Belizean cycling who has won the event three times, has threatened to sit out the race in protest, arguing that the CFB made the decision not out of genuine support for junior riders, but rather to fulfill a sponsorship quota.

“Let’s be honest, this isn’t about giving Juniors an opportunity, it’s about keeping the sponsorship,” she said.

She pointed out that last weekend, junior women competed in a race specifically designed for their development, with an appropriate format and distance.

“Despite it being half the distance of this Sunday’s race, look at the time gap from the winners to the other competitors,” Cattouse argued.

“But now, one week later, they’re being asked to line up for double the distance, in the biggest and most demanding race on the calendar, in this crazy breeze. This is not development. This is exploitation.”

She further criticized the Federation’s approach, stating that rather than working to build the female cycling field with local competitors, they are “taking the easy route, throwing our young girls into a race that is simply not appropriate for their age or stage of development.”

However, the CFB has denied that the decision was made to maintain race sponsorship and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of women’s cycling.

“It is important to clarify that this decision was not influenced by a sponsorship quota or a threat to event funding,” the Federation stated in its press release.

“The sponsor’s only requirement was that the Federation demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the sport and that of women in cycling—a commitment we fully embrace.”

Additionally, the CFB defended the move by noting that Junior male cyclists have long been allowed to compete in the men’s elite Cross-Country event, a comparison that was raised during consultations with team representatives.

“Initially, our position was that junior athletes would not be permitted to participate,” the CFB said.

“However, the teams questioned why junior male athletes are allowed to participate in the male elite version of the same event, while junior women are excluded.”

The CFB added that strict conditions were set for junior riders in the event.

“Any junior rider who falls more than 20 minutes behind the race envelope will be required to withdraw from the event,” the Federation clarified, emphasizing that UCI policies were followed in making the decision.

With the Women’s Cross Country race just days away, Cattouse’s strong stance has stirred debate within the cycling community, bringing further attention to the challenges and complexities of developing women’s cycling in Belize.

As race day approaches, all eyes will be on whether Belize’s top female rider follows through with her threat to sit out the event or if further discussions will lead to a resolution.

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The post Kaya Cattouse criticizes Cycling Federation of Belize’s decision to include junior riders in Women’s Cross Country, threatens to sit out appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Friday, April 11, 2025. 11:05 am CST. Kaya Cattouse – Photo Credit: Kaya Cattouse By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize’s top female cyclist, Kaya Cattouse, has
The post Kaya Cattouse criticizes Cycling Federation of Belize’s decision to include junior riders in Women’s Cross Country, threatens to sit out appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.