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ST ANN, Jamaica (CMC):

In a result that sent shock waves through local cycling, Melvin McFarlane of Elevation Cycling Club produced a masterful performance to claim the men's elite title at the Jamaica National Road Race Championship in Priory, St Ann, recently.

McFarlane, a relative newcomer to the sport, having taken up cycling in 2022, executed a perfectly timed breakaway at Discovery Bay, surging ahead of the lead pack and never looking back.

His commanding ride saw him finish over a minute clear of pre-race favourite and defending champion Andrew Ramsay, who settled for second, while seasoned campaigner Cleveland Sharpe turned back the clock with a strong third-place finish.

The victory was all the more remarkable given McFarlane's underwhelming performance in the time trials just a day earlier, where he finished seventh, nearly two minutes behind Ramsay.

Few believed he stood a chance, but the Elevation rider had other plans.

"I didn't have a steady plan, but coming back, I saw the opportunity and made my move. We were into a headwind, there were about four of us, and they were slowing down, so I just pushed the pace. By the final four miles, I knew I had it won as they were too far behind."

Elevation Cycling Club coach Orwyn Richmond praised the team's meticulous preparation, while hailing McFarlane's breakthrough win.

"It was a hard-fought race, but through training, planning, and teamwork, we put all the pieces together to achieve this victory," he said.