ONE OF BARBADOS' top cyclists, Philip Clarke, put on a terrific show of riding speed but had to settle for third position in the prestigious Tour of Trinidad Independence Cycling Classic on Monday.

Jamaica's Marloe Rodman, riding for team Rafman Metalfab Heatwave, edged out Trinidad and Tobago's Colin Wilson of Team Trek for the first prize of US$2 950, a Fuji competition road cycle donated by Bike Inn, plus additional cash.

Rodman and Wilson were always in the leading pack and featured in a sprint to the finish line in the event which began in Siparia in southern Trinidad and ended in Port-of-Spain.

Rodman clocked four hours, 34.49 minutes for the 100-mile grind through Penal, Princes Town, Rio Claro and Arima, with Wilson returning a time of 4:34.58.

But it was Clarke, who has competed at the Commonwealth and Pan Am Games, who virtually came from nowhere and outsprinted a host of riders to cop third place in a time of 4:37.18.

Among those unable to match the Barbadian's late burst of speed was defending champion Guy Costa of Trinidad and Tobago, Linford Bloomfield of Jamaica and Marlon Williams of Guyana.

Rodman, Clarke, Wilson and Williams went on an early break and were joined by Bloomfield and Garvin Nero, the 18-year-old who is better known for his ability as a 1 500-metre athlete, approaching Princes Town.

After leaving Mayaro on the east coast, Rodman and Wilson went on a two-man break and were never caught.

At one point, the pair had opened up a seven-minute lead on the chasing pack, which was reduced to a little over four at the end.

Nero was edged for the top spot among the juniors by Ziff John but both were credited with the same time of 2:13.07.

On Saturday, Jamaican cyclist O'Neil St Clair won the third stage, beating Guyana's Warren McKay and Jevan Williams, along with defending champion Costa. (CMC/WG)