Melvin McFarlane Rides to Dominant Victory at Jamaica National Road Race Championship

ST. ANN, Jamaica – In a result that sent shockwaves 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.

Melvin McFarlane of Elevation Cycling Club raised his arms aloft to roars of applause after crossing the finish line in first place at the Jamaica National Road Race Championship. Photo: OHNMcFarlane, 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 favorite 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.