IRONSHORE, St James — Team Medellin of Colombia are already looking forward to returning for next year’s Jamaica International Cycling Classic, after dominating this weekend’s staging in Montego Bay.

Christian Leonardo Tamayo Saavedra made it back-to-back wins after taking Sunday’s third and final stage, riding 60 miles from Montego Bay, St James, to Duncans in Trelawny and back, in two hours 9 minutes and 32 seconds. He had won Saturday’s 78-mile ride from Montego Bay to Discovery Bay, St Ann, and back.

His teammate and overall winner, team leader Wilmar Andres Paredes Zapata had won the first stage on Friday’s opening day — 56 miles to Falmouth and back. Additionally, Paredes Zapata had five of the six King of the Mountain points.

Oshane Williams of Cornwall Cycling Club (right) receives the award for the top local cyclist from Simmonds Cycling Club General Secretary Rohan Lindsay, after the Jamaica International Cycling Classic which ended on Sunday. Williams was 10th overall from the 40 cyclists who completed all three stages. (Photo: Paul Reid)

On Sunday, American Preston Eye of Team WBHB was second overall followed by Liam Trepte, a Trinidadian riding for Cornwall Cycling Club. Oshane Williams, also of Cornwall Cycling Club, was the top local rider overall, next in fourth place.

All were given the same time as Tamayo Saavedra.

Julian Velasques, coach of the Colombian club, was happy for his team’s performance throughout the weekend.

“We are very happy. First of all, we enjoyed our stay here in Jamaica. It was [the] first time riding in Jamaica for our team and I love the country and the people. [It was] very special to win three stages and the overall classification here,” he said

“I’m very appreciative, very happy with the organisation of the race, very friendly with us, and this is the reason we come here to Jamaica — and we want to come back next year.”

Carlton Simmonds, one of the organisers of the event, was pleased with how the three days of racing and competition unfolded.

“First and foremost, I’m very happy. One of the big things is [there were] no major incidents or accidents — which is always, for me, the key points of the event. I think all in all, we had a very lovely three days of racing, very competitive. Team Medellin [of] Colombia — their top-tier team, all the way from South America — they were dominant in the event, which was pretty good, but I am happy with the overall eventitself.”

The event will go some way, Simmonds said, in helping to bring greater attention to the sport in Jamaica. “I think it has and it will [bring attention] over time because the event itself has gained international ratification. That’s part of the plan from day one — and what it will mean for the country is that you’re now going to see more international cyclists coming to Jamaica,” he said.

Philip Rose (second right), deputy director of tourism for the Americas, presents a prize to overall winner Wilmar Andres Paredes Zapata (centre) of Team Medellin after the Jamaica International Cycling Classic which ended at Whitter Village in Ironshore, Montego Bay, on Sunday. Also pictured are Paredes Zapata’s Team Medellin teammate Walter Alejandro Vargas Alzate (left) and American Gabriel Mendez of Team WBHB

“I mean, I might take it a bit further and say you might probably see teams coming to Jamaica to set up training camps, and then use this event to be a part of assessment for them as a team to see where their training is,” he added in reference to other possible spin-offs.

Eight teams took part, including one from the Cayman Islands, while a least three of the local clubs had overseas riders on their teams.

Simmonds said this was a big fillip for the local clubs. “I think it’s good… when you can get [riders from] the region coming to an event, and in a way it has combined itself. It’s always good because… you get… riders being exposed in a very professional setting, and being able to ride with guys who are professional at their craft,” he explained.