8 months ago
27
Team Medellin of Colombia showed that they will be hard to beat in this year’s staging of the Jamaica International Cycling Classic, following a podium sweep on day one of the event in Montego Bay yesterday.
Of the six-member Colombian team, three of their riders finished in the top three, with Wilmar Paredes leading the way with victory after clocking one hour 58:06 seconds following the Rose Hall Loop which saw the riders starting at Whitter Village in Montego Bay and making a turn at the Falmouth Bridge and back to the Whitter Village finish.
Paredes was the only cyclist under two hours, as teammate Victor Ocampo finished fast to claim second place in two hours flat, ahead of teammate Walter Vargas in third.
The race had a frantic start which saw Elevation Cycling Club team member Wilson Haro pedalling out front to lead a two-man party, including defending champion Andy Scarano of Team WBHB out of the US.
Both led the Peloton to Greenwood before Team Medellin’s Robigzon Oyola joined in to make the turn on the 69.9-mile stage.
The other members of the Colombian team then made their move with a third attack just before Greenwood and broke away with Peredes holding on strong to be the sole cyclist across the line.
Speaking through an interpreter, Paredes said the conditions were tough but he has been enjoying Jamaica and the fierce competition.
“It feels excellent to win, and the victory was a total teamwork and I can’t wait for day two,” Paredes said.
Cleveland Sharpe from Team Elevators was the best-placed Jamaican as he crossed the line in 15th place in a time of 2:00:51.
Forty-seven cyclists from Jamaica, Colombia, South Africa, USA, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and the Cayman Islands took to the streets for the first day of the three-day event, which is set to culminate on Sunday with the Montego Bay-to-Duncans leg.
English (US) ·