Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

ALBERT TOWN, Trelawny:

A relative rookie, Marloe Rodman, defied the odds to win the Trelawny Yam Festival 50K Cycle Race in Albert Town, Trelawny, on Sunday.

The 18-year-old Eltham Park, Spanish Town, resident who took up cycling seriously just 16 months ago, powered all of his six-foot frame to come out ahead of several of the island's top riders to win the gruelling, uphill event which started in Falmouth.

First big win

"This is my first big win and I feel good," Rodman said.

He had high praise for his coach, Carlton Simmons (national coach), and his sponsor Andr Wang.

The more decorated Pan-Am Games representative, Tour of Jamaica and Time Trial winner Alden Clunis, had to settle for second. The even more decorated Central America and Caribbean gold medallist, O'neil Samuels, who is just returning from the Cycling World Cup in England where he represented Jamaica, got third spot. The other two to complete the top five are Jasseth Bromfield (fourth) and O'neil Sinclair.

President of the Cycling Federation of Jamaica, Vaughn Phang, hailed the race, saying "... it is a test of endurance and while it is not one of the racing calendar events, it is an excellent test for the cyclists".

The oldest competitor to finish the race was 50-year-old Dexter Stewart, with 15-year-old Brandon Bailey-Haye being the youngest.