Marloe Rodman and Thailer Hill are pumped and ready, coming out of Sunday’s Blissett Memorial Classic Race, ahead of a weekend of high-energy and tight competition at the Southern Games 2013 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The cycling duo left Jamaica on Wednesday in preparation for the opening event — a cycling criterium which sets the stage for the cycling and athletics extravaganza today and tomorrow beginning at the Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

Expectations for a grand performance by Rodman are evident, as he has been listed among top global riders such as Fabio Masotti (Italy), David Espinoza (USA), Heener Rodel (Germany), Diego Andres Pena (Colombia), Elias Helleskov Bush (Denmark), and Trinidad’s own Njisane Phillips, who will be present to add to the excitement and tight competition that the event brings each year.

Hill, just minutes short of Marloe’s best, has earned himself outstanding titles in local elite racing as was seen at the federation’s recently concluded Blue Mountain Time Trials and the Harold Blissett Memorial Classics. RJR nominated Sportswoman of the Year in Cycling Dahlia Palmer, who was already in Trinidad, will also be present to represent Jamaica in the event.

The three, no strangers to this event, will compete in a series of events to include scratch, points and match sprint races. “The Jamaican medallists will bring to Trinidad and Tobago the combination of youth and experience that have placed Jamaica on the regional and international cycling front,” said president of the Jamaica Cycling Federation, Edward Harper.

“The Southern Games will be the first regional event to assess the readiness of our riders. Marloe Rodman and Dahlia Palmer are both coming off strong seasons in 2012, and they are both eager and fired up for their regional season opener which they both expect to do well in,” he continued.

“Compatriot Thailer Hill is no stranger to racing in Trinidad and he will be looking to gain good results in the competition as well. The Jamaica Cycling Federation is fully behind the team and wishes them well in the event,” he said.