Yesterday, March 1, 2024, Caymanian cyclist Nathaniel Forbes completed stage 5 of the 45th Vuelta a la Independencia Nacional, an annual cycling competition being held in the Dominican Republic this year from February 26 to March 3. Overall, he placed 72 out of 121 cyclists, racing with his Colombian team, Gesprom Evolution.
Commenting on his experience thus far, Forbes said it “was the hardest stage on the hills, and I had to dig really deep to move up in the ranking.”
“At the moment, I feel normal… was slightly dehydrated on the last part of the race, about mile 85,” he added.
When asked how the riders deal with dehydration in such a difficult race, Forbes confirmed that his team, Gesprom Evolution, “provides water, but it’s sometimes very difficult to get with 121 cyclist[s] travelling from 25 to 40mph.”
Despite the challenging conditions, Forbes’ participation in the race is beneficial for him and the Cayman Islands as he is gaining international experience with the best Pan-American riders. His recognition as an accomplished cyclist is also increasing in Caribbean and Pan-American countries.
Forbes has performed exceptionally well in his under-23 age group, finishing 21st among the top cyclists.
After completing this competition, Forbes said he is “aiming for the Pan American championships in Brazil.” He added that the world championships are also possible with the proper overall support.
Cycling enthusiasts can track Forbes’ progress in the Dominican Republic by visiting the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Fedocioficial-100063567940079/
