The first male Belizean cyclist has signed a professional contract, Oscar Quiroz has signed with the Miami Blazers which is a U.S. cycling team that rides primarily criterium races.
The cyclist announced what he called a "step up" from semi-pro races today when he spoke to 7News via Zoom telling us how he plans to balance work with his newfound pro career, and just how far he's willing to go to win gold for team and country.
Oscar Quiroz, Recruited to Miami Blazers
"It really gives you a great feeling inside, a great feeling of accomplishment deep down and it kind of, it just makes you feel like your work didn't didn't go unseen. And I'm kinda privileged that these guys actually saw this in me, um, in terms of my attitude obviously my talent and of course what I have to bring to the table."
"This is at the domestic professional level in the U.S. so yes, it is indeed a step up because in Belize we just practice semi-professional, you know cycling, so yes it is a step up meaning that, um, most of the races they are at a higher level obviously and it's specifically at the criterium level so it's not necessarily a road race but its more a criterium level."
"Well the team is at a professional level, um, they also have their part in terms of, um, providing me with the essentials in terms of training and racing and you know food and everything to that extent."
"You know they provide somewhat of a stipend so in that case, I'd be able to, you know, kind of like fill that in with my job at this point in time but I will be a little bit more flexible in terms of the hours that I do in terms of work, you know, that is another very touchy thing there but the point is that I will be allowed a little bit more time to train and hence, of course, the recovery part I'll be able to do better. Whether they require me to be a domestic, a sprinter, a climber whatever they do, you know, whatever they request I am going to do my best at."
The team is linked to two time Belizean Cross Country Champ, the US based Justin Williams who recruited Quiroz.
Earlier this year Belizean cyclist Kaya Cattouse also signed a one-year contract with pro team L.A. Sweat.
