From left at the airport: Coach Edouard Franky Bellechasse, Jahkim Carty, President of the Collectivité Louis Mussington, Jahiem Kennedy-Hodge, Coach Patricio “Blade” Carty, and Coach Romeo “Mémé” Lake. (Robert Luckock photo)
MARIGOT--Velo Club de Sandy Ground (VCSG) riders Jahkim Carty and Jahiem Kennedy-Hodge returned home from two successful tours in Marie Galante and Martinique Monday evening, once again flying the colours of St. Martin high with their superb individual performances.
The welcome committee at Grand Case airport included President of the Collectivité Louis Mussington, President of the Territorial Cycling Committee of St. Martin, Eric Hélan, and most of the VCSG club members. Jahkim Carty finished 15th overall in the final classification at the Tour de Marie Galante held July 17 to 23 and was second best rider under 19 years old in the Best Young rider category overall. To give some perspective, 97 riders started the six-stage race that included a lot of climbing. There were 77 finishers. Carty was the only rider from St. Martin and had joined Boris Carene’s CCD team. He had the misfortune to fall in the last race going down on a corner with three other riders but was able to get back on the bike and ride to the finish. As he fell under 3K from the finish line the fallers did not lose time. Light rain had caused the road to be slippery. He suffered abrasions to an elbow and road rash on his thigh and hip. Jahkim’s father and coach Patricio “Blade” Carty noted the stages each day were exceptionally long, second day 144K, third day 164K , 139K and so on with no rest day.
Carty (17) is a first year Junior but as Marie Galante was an open race he was competing against older more experienced riders. He is currently based in Toulouse, where he is pursuing his education and cycling career with a high level training club. Jahiem Kennedy-Hodge meanwhile was competing in the Tour of Martinique with 73 starters (46 finishers) where he finished 27th overall in the final classification. He won the Blue jersey for second fastest rider in the prologue (time trial). Kennedy Hodge a week ago won the time trial and the coveted yellow jersey at the Tour de Guadeloupe Cadets, a first for St. Martin.
