Gooden pedals to victory in 32-mile cycling challenge

Sport

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Day two of the 2013 National Cycling Championships for women and juniors came to an end on Sunday, with new-comer Rachel Gooden of Blissett Cycling Club defeating national rider Dahlia Palmer in the 32-mile road race.Just seconds before the end of the journey, which began in Annotto Bay and ended in Ocho Rios, Gooden who has been riding for just under a year, shot past the finish line to end with a time of one hour and 39 minutes, denying Palmer a third consecutive win in the championships since 2011.This is a first for Gooden, who is also a 5k and 10k marathon runner and a medical practitioner. Elizabeth Mondon, also known for her background in running, came in third.Palmer also faced defeat on Saturday at the Women’s Time Trial at Port Royal when Bianca Hernould from Cutters Cycling Club forced the 2012 defending Time Trial champion to settle for a silver medal.Mondon, determined to maintain a place in the top-three for both events, ended in a time of 29 minutes 17 seconds.President of the Jamaica Cycling Federation, Edward Harper, says he is delightfully surprised at the results. “I don’t think anyone saw this coming. Supporters and officials alike, rallied at the finish in awe to see how the race would end.“The two cyclists who came in almost side by side (and they) definitely pushed themselves and showcased good sportsmanship”, he said.The Juniors Road Race leg ended with Jermar Brissett from BreakAway Cycling Club out of Montego Bay taking the gold medal, Owen Cardoza Jnr silver and Romaine Ellis bronze.Saturday’s 10-mile Time Trial also saw the young Romaine Ellis from MoBay take the top spot for juniors with Andre Jackson from Portland and Conrad Johnson from May Pen taking second and third, respectively.Next weekend will see the Elites and Masters compete in the 25-mile Time Trial at Port Royal on Saturday and Road Race on Sunday. The Elites will race from Ocho Rios to Falmouth and back to Ocho Rios and the Masters from Ocho Rios to Duncans and back to Ocho Rios (about 60 miles).The first race starts 7:30 am and the second 7:45 am.Second place Dahlia Palmer (left), champion Rachel Gooden and Elizabeth Mondon (right) are all smiles at the end of Sunday’s prize-giving ceremony of the 2013 National Cycling Championships.

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Gooden pedals to victory in 32-mile cycling challenge