MARLOE Rodman has started off the 2013 season in great standing coming out of Thursday’s cycling criterium opening event at the Southern Games in Trinidad, copping a gold medal in his second race after breaking away on lap three of the 20-lap feature race, ahead of a chasing bunch.

The first race on the day’s agenda also ended with Rodman clutching to his first silver medal after a sprint finish, in a race which saw 15 international cyclists compete in the four-lap event.

Thailer Hill, who also participated in both races, came in just outside the top five in his event. Hill then registered in 12th place for the second event after dropping from the chase with two laps short of the finish line.

Well-known female Jamaican cyclist Dahlia Palmer, who is representing her local club, Sonics, in Trinidad, finished fifth in the female elite race. Linford Blackwood of the Trinidad club Trek came in 10th place in the feature event.

The 2013 games marks 49 years of annual Southern sports and will see former national cyclist and Mayor of San Fernando Ian Atherly and Best-Andrews be honoured. Best-Andrew is the first woman to have copped an international medal for T&T.

The event began yesterday and will continue today at the Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre. The Jamaica team is among international cyclists, including Fabio Masotti (Italy), David Espinoza (USA), Heener Rodel (Germany), Diego Andres Pena (Colombia), and Elias Helleskov Bush (Denmark).