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By Neto Baptiste
National cyclist, Tahje Browne, said he is already learning from his ongoing stint in Italy with professional cycling team, Zappi Cycling.
Speaking from Italy on the Good Morning Jojo sports show on Tuesday, Browne revealed that he recently competed in his first race and that it was quite the eye opener.
“I had my first race on Saturday and it was very competitive. It was about over 90 persons in terms of juniors and they were all very strong, so the racing is at a very high level right now. Also, over here has 5k and 10k [kilometres] climbs and you don’t really find that in Antigua, so it is a new pathway to explore so I am still having trouble with that but I am learning as I go and improving as I come along,” he said.
Browne, who left for Italy in June, said the biggest barrier he has faced thus far is communication, but added that the positives far outweigh the negatives.
“Everywhere is just very beautiful and the roads are just very fast and the people are very kind. The only problem I have is the language barrier, but the club I am with are very nice people and they all speak English, so I am having a very good time here. I am here to improve and get results so that by the time I am in the under-23 ranks, it’s not such a big gap from where I am now to the European peleton,” he said.
Organized by the Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Federation through one of its members, Tiziano Rossignoli, the stint presents the former Antigua Grammar School student with an opportunity to hone his skills in a professional setting while possibly earning a living doing what he enjoys.
The 17-year-old Browne is a member of the Wadadli Cycling Academy here in Antigua. He is the son of former national netballer, Chaka Grant Browne and Jason Browne.
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