Ameline, Harfield top podium at cycling championships

2019 Cayman Islands Cycling Champions Jerome Ameline (road race) and Patrick Harfield (time trial).

Veteran cyclist Jerome Ameline and triathlon specialist Patrick Harfield stood atop the podium on back-to-back weeks as winners of the 2019 Cayman Islands Cycling Championships road race and time trial, respectively.

Ameline, 44, was the quickest across the 58-mile event that saw riders complete three laps from Frank Sound through North Side and East End. He finished in two hours, 35 minutes and 37 seconds) ahead of Cebert Wood (2:31:53) and Steve Evans (2:38:40)in the men’s elite division.

“After one loop, Cebert [Wood] did a couple of attacks, at least one good one,” Ameline said. “We were definitely racing and then at some point I got afraid that I was not going to be able to beat at least Cebert. So, I said I had to get away from them and just finish. As soon as I got away, I just rode out as hard as I could and I think they gave up.”

2019 Cayman Islands Cycling Championships

Edward Harper was first among masters riders, followed by Laurent Weber and David Cooke. Nathaniel Forbes (junior) and Laura Hicks (women) were the other cyclists atop the podium.

A week later, riders were back in the saddle for the time trial race. This time it was Patrick Harfield, who completed the 25 mile loop the quickest, doing so in record-breaking fashion. His time of 52 minutes, 35.118 seconds bettered last year’s mark of 52.39.169 set by James Smith.

“I was really pleased with the time. It was a minute quicker for me than last year. I’m happy to take the top spot,” Harfield said before officially being notified of his record.

“It’s difficult to know how you’re getting on with two-minute time gaps…but I had to go hard from the gun and try to hold on all the way.”

Jamie Hughes (55:26.594) was second and Ameline third (55:27.414). Gabe Rabess was quickest among the masters with 57:59.361, followed by David Cooke (1:00:15.008) and Laurent Weber (1:01:33.550). Alyssa Dodson stood atop the podium as the only female cyclist in the time trial. She had a time of 1:05:05.067.

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