Jamaican Marloe Rodman raises the checkered flag as he crosses the finish line yesterday in the fourth stage of the Tour of Trinidad Independence Cycling Classic. He was also the overall winner. Photo: ANTHONY HARRIS

BY GREGORY TRUJILLO

Jamaica’s Marloe Rodman won the Tour of Trinidad Independence Cycling Classic yesterday by copping the Fourth Stage from Siparia to Port-of-Spain.

Rodman, who rode for Rafman Metalfab Heatwave, edged out T&T’s Colin Wilson of Team Trek for the first prize of an $18,000 Fuji competition road cycle donated by Bike Inn, plus additional cash.

Rodman and Wilson were always in the leading pack and featured in a sprint to the finish line.

The Jamaican wheelsman clocked 4:34.49 for the 100-mile grind with Wilson returning 4:34.58.

Barbadian Phillip Clarke outsprinted a host of riders for third place. His time was 4:37.18.

Among those unable to match the late burst of speed by Clarke was defending champion Guy Costa of T&T, Jamaican Linford Bloomfield and Guyanese Marlon Williams.

Rodman, Clarke, Wilson and Williams went on an early break and were joined by Bloomfield and Garvin Nero, the 18-year-old who is better known for his as a 1500 metre athlete, approaching Princes Town.

Clarke went on to win the first preem in Rio Claro as well as the second in Mafeking in Mayaro.

After leaving Mayaro, Rodman and Wilson went on another two-man break and were never caught.

At one point, the pair had opened up a seven-minute lead on the chasing pack, which cut it to a little over four at the end.

Rodman also out-battled Wilson to take the third and final preem at the Pillars between Valencia and Arima.

Nero was edged for the top spot among the juniors by Ziff John, the duo credited with the same time of 2:13.07.

Alexander Gibbon of Corkey’s Casuals, who finished third in yesterday’s stage, copped the overall title among the juniors as a result of his outstanding riding in the first three stages.

Mark Antonio, who rides unattached, was the most outstanding Over-50 plus veteran ahead of Kent Luces of Sonics and Selwyn Providence of Southclaine.

Antonio had to settle for second spot in yesterday’s stage to Luces, who clocked 2:26.41.00.

Fourth Stage

Seniors

1 Marloe Rodman (Jam-Heatwave) 4:34.49; 2 Colin Wilson (TT-Team Trek) 4:34.58; 3 Phillip Clarke (B’dos-Heatwave) 4:37.18.

Juniors

1 Ziff Johnn (Suranime) 2:13.07; 2 Garvin Nero (Team Trek) 2:13.07; 3 Alexander Gibbon (Corkey’s Casuals) 2:13.51.

Vets 50+

1 Kent Luces (Sonics) 2:26.41; 2 Mark Antonio (unattached); 3 Selwyn Providence (Southclaine).

Vets 40+

1 Rodney Woods (Southclaine) 2:32.55; 2 Ken Gookool (Sonics); 3 Deon David (Tobago).

Overall

Seniors

1 Marloe Rodman (Jam-Heatwave) 8:20.24.98; 2 Colin Wilson (TT-Team Trek 8:20.58.28; 3 Guy Costa (TT-Heatwave) 8:28.21.56.

Juniors

1 Alexander Gibbon (Corkey’s Casuals) 5:57.28.60; 2 Geron Williams (Guy-Team Trek) 5:58.06.00; 3 Ziff Johnn (Sur) 5:59.29.05

Vets 50+

1 Mark Antonio (unattached); 5:24.27.93; 2 Kent Luces (Sonics) 5:25.04.56; 3 Selwyn Providence (Southclaine) 5:55.32.15.

Vets 40+

1 Rodney Woods (Southclaine) 6:27.28.80; 2 Ken Gookool (Sonics) 6:43.19.04; 3 Deon David (unattached) 7:07.07.07.