Cyclist Williams in for Rodman
Published:Tuesday | January 9, 2018 | 12:00 AMMarc Stamp/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica Cycling Federation (JCF) coach, Carlton Simmonds, is confident that sole cycling representative Oshane Williams will produce a good performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia, April 4-15.
"He (Williams) has been one of our most prominent cyclists for the past three years and did a stint in the United States. The Commonwealth Games is high quality, so the training is organised to get him up to speed," Simmonds told The Gleaner yesterday after confirming that Williams has replaced Marloe Rodman for the Games.
"I'm not saying that he will win, but he is our national road race champion and will give his best. He is only 23 and has the ability," he pointed out while adding that losing Rodman is a big blow.
Rodman is to stand trial on manslaughter and other charges following a bike crash, which left 26 year-old Anthony Gordon dead last November.
The St Catherine Traffic Department reported that on Sunday, November 26, at about 1 a.m., Rodman was driving his Honda CBR R600 motorcycle along Gordon Boulevard in St Catherine when he lost control and slammed into Gordon, who was seated on a stationary bike.
Rodman and Gordon were taken to the Spanish Town hospital, where the latter died. The national cyclist was subsequently transferred to the University Hospital of the West Indies and admitted in serious condition. He has since been discharged and is due to attend court on January 18.