Nicholas Paul won his third gold medal at the Pan American Championships in Paraguay, contributing to Trinidad and Tobago’s total of four gold medals. Michael Phillips, former TT Cycling Federation president, praised the team’s performance and expressed hope for the improvement of local cycling events to inspire younger competitors.
Former national cyclist and ex-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation, Michael Phillips, commended the local cyclists for their outstanding achievements at the Elite Pan American Track Cycling Championships held in Paraguay. The concluded event, on April 6, saw Trinidad and Tobago’s gold-medal count rise to four, showcasing the exceptional skills of its athletes.
Nicholas Paul, a stellar sprinter, secured his third gold medal by triumphing in the men’s 1km time trial. His performance came after winning gold in both the team sprint and individual sprint categories, along with a silver in the keirin. During the qualifying rounds, Paul finished second behind Colombia’s Cristian Ortega, clocking 59.669 seconds compared to Ortega’s 59.514. In the final, Paul emerged victorious with a time of 59.729 seconds, while Ortega took silver.
Phillips highlighted the collective effort of the cyclists and remarked, “These cyclists continue to keep the flag flying high, particularly with the gold medals. The times were also very good times.” He expressed pride in Njisane Phillip’s comeback performance, noting the significance of their achievements in a competitive region that includes heavyweights like the United States.
On April 5, Paul defended his sprint title against Colombia’s Kevin Quintero, while endurance cyclist Teniel Campbell won gold in the women’s points race. Earlier on April 2, Paul, Phillip, and Ryan D’Abreau secured the team’s first gold medal in the men’s sprint by outperforming both Colombia and Mexico.
Phillips underscored the potential of young cyclists and their growth in the sport. He stated, “I’m really happy for Teniel. Seeing all of these cyclists from kids going up through the ranks… it’s something else to see them grow up and be as successful as they are right now.”
To enhance the development of cycling in Trinidad and Tobago, Phillips expressed a desire for more dynamic events that appeal to younger generations, suggesting that the standards of local events should reflect those seen in the 1980s and early 90s. “I think one of the things that has to happen is that the events that we have start to mirror the standard we would have seen in the 1980s and early 90s here in TT,” he added.
The performances of Trinidad and Tobago’s cyclists at the Pan American Track Cycling Championships illustrate the nation’s robust cycling talent and dedication. Nicholas Paul’s remarkable achievements, alongside the collective success of his teammates, signify a bright future for cycling in the country. Michael Phillips’ insights emphasize the importance of fostering youth participation and improving local event standards to sustain growth in the sport.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
