ROSE HALL, St James – FOUR cyclists from western Jamaica copped national titles at last weekend’s Jamaica Cycling Federation’s National Trials held in Montego Bay.

Dahlia Palmer won her fourth straight double title, Michael Daley was a surprise time trials champion; Dervin Myers won the junior time trials, while businessman Howard Ward won the Super Masters time Trials title.

The national championships were held over two days, Saturday and Sunday, and were also used as a dry run for the Caribbean Cycling Championships that will be held here in September.

The time trials started at Whitter Village, Ironshore, with the riders heading towards Falmouth and turning back at Sea Castles Resorts to finish at Whitter Village. The road race course started at the same venue but turned off into the hills through the Half Moon Golf course, through Spring Farm, back to the main road to end at Whitter Village.

Both days provided excitement as well as surprise results, as the 21-year-old Daley’s win on Saturday was unexpected, as was 17-yearold Shaquille Sinclair’s victory in the 65 miles road race, a day later.

In both cases, the experienced Marlo Rodman, winner of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East Bikeathon earlier this year, was beaten. The Commonwealth Games representative who had postponed a trip to the United Kingdom to compete in the National Trials was third on Saturday and second on Sunday.

On Saturday, Daley a former Spot Valley High student and Flanker resident, covered the 15 mile-course from Whitter Village to Sea Castles and back, in 23 minutes 02.28 seconds, faster than 42 other riders, to win his first national title.

Daley who represents the BreakAway Club in Montego Bay told reporters after the race that he “felt good” with his first major title.

In an interview with Observer West, Daley said he was surprised that he finished ahead of the experience Tinga Turner who took second place and Rodman: “I didn’t expect to beat them” he said, “They are the best we have here in Jamaica, the top of the top.”

After competing in the sport for seven years and eight months, Daley said the win “means a lot to me and I will try and take this as far as I can,” adding that he wants to go professional.

Ward who was the first rider on the course clocked 28 minutes 44.81 seconds to win his first national title as well.

He was second in his class in the Sunday’s road race over 35 miles.

The 19-year-old Palmer who hails from Lucea, Hanover, and who was the lone female took the time trials and road race overall titles, as well as the Under-23 awards.

She clocked 28 minutes 31.98 seconds to finish 37th overall in the time trials.

Dervin Myers is the national junior champion with a time of 25 minutes 46.45 seconds and finishing in 15th place overall.