Dominant Team Medellin reigns in Jamaica

The South American team won all individual and team titles on offer after three days of competitive cycling of the highest quality, as Wilmar Paredes Zapata won the overall singles title ahead of teammate Walter Vargas Alzate, while American Gabriel Mendez of Team WBHB earned third spot. Ecuador’s Wilson Haro Criollo and Honduran Fredd Matute Baca – both representing Old Harbour’s Elevation Cycling Club were fourth and sixth overall, as Team Medellin secured four spots in the top-10.

Paredes led a Columbian sweep of the podium on the opening day with teammates Victor Ocampo Giraldo and Vargas taking second and third respectively. Paredes completed the 87 km loop to Rose Hall in 1:58:06 ahead of a chasing pack in which the next six riders finished with the same time. With no hill to contend with this was a fast race with average speed throughout clocked at 44.2 kph.

After such commanding performance Team Medellin was the obvious target entering Stage 2 to Discovery Bay, a 106km journey inclusive of three King of the Mountain (KOM) segments. This time it was Christian Tamayo Saavedra and Robigzon Oyola Oyola who stole the spotlight as they secured first and second spot respectively, while Haro Ciriollo finished third.

All KOM segments and sprints in this stage were won either by Paredes or Oyola in a display of true teamwork as they expertly combined their knowledge like lions hunting in packs.

On yesterday’s third and final stage to Duncans, a loop of 89 km, Oyola and Paredes were again central in sharing honours in the three King of the Mountain sections. This setup a fascinating climax in the bright Jamaican sunshine, with Saavedra winning in a blanket finish in 2:09:32, the same time given to the other 20 riders.

Preston Eye of the USA’s Team WBHB was second, while Trinidadian Liam Trepte, riding for Cornwall Cycling Club of Montego Bay, secured third as the officials spent a considerable amount of time using the photo finish technology to determine the final positions.

Jerome Forrest of Elevation Cycling Club was disappointing in the first two stage races, but showed his immense potential with a fifth-place finish, just behind Cornwall’s Oshane Williams, who was the best performing Jamaican overall.

With the others managing to split the Columbians in the final race, the team title was shared with Team Medellin, Cornwall, Elevation, Team WBHB and Team Elevators based on average times of the top-three riders in each club.

Following their impressive showing, Team Medellin stated: “Impeccable teamwork and great balance in a country we visited for the first time. We left a footprint of our beloved Medellin, its culture and values. Congratulations boys. Thank you Jamaica for the love.”

Orwyn Richmond, coach of Elevation Cycling Club was philosophical in his summary assessment at the end, noting that riding is a full time job for Team Medellin riders which makes a huge difference when competing at this level.

“A ride of this magnitude brought exposure for some of our members, it brought a challenge for other members as they vie on the international scene, competing against riders of different caliber. They (foreign riders) were able to bring a robust challenge.

“The fight that we brought might not have yielded the results that we would have liked to see, but nonetheless it was a valiant effort from all of our participating members alongside a few international counterparts to assist us in bringing the challenge.

“This event has taught us that training is constant, training never ends, training needs to be evolving as part of our continued club existence to garner even much more confidence to compete with riders and teams of this caliber,” Richmond told Old Harbour News.

“I just like to thank all of our sponsors, thank all of our riders and thank our management team for supporting us to deliver this experience gathering mission; the mission to grow cycling in our area of Bodles Crescent and its environs, and to grow Elevation Cycling Club.”