Nicholas Paul Secures Third Gold as Trinidad and Tobago Shines at Pan Am Championships

Trinidad and Tobago achieved significant success at the Elite Pan American Track Cycling Championships, winning four gold medals, notably with Nicholas Paul securing his third gold in the men’s 1km time trial. Michael Phillips praised the cyclists’ achievements and emphasized the need for more dynamic events to engage youth in the sport, reflecting on the country’s historical strengths in cycling.

The Elite Pan American Track Cycling Championships in Paraguay concluded with notable success for Trinidad and Tobago (TT), where they secured a total of four gold medals. Among the standout performances was that of Nicholas Paul, who won his third gold medal during the final day’s men’s 1km time trial at the National Olympic Velodrome in Asuncion. Paul previously earned gold in the team and individual sprints and a silver in the keirin.

In the 1km time trial, Nicholas Paul showcased exceptional talent, qualifying second fastest with a time of 59.669 seconds behind Colombia’s Cristian Ortega, who clocked 59.514 seconds. In the final, Paul improved upon his performance, finishing first with an impressive time of 59.729 seconds, while Ortega settled for silver at 1:00.372. Canada’s James Hedgcock and Ryan Dodyk secured the third and fourth positions, respectively.

Michael Phillips, a former national cyclist and ex-president of the TT Cycling Federation, commended the athletes’ performances. He expressed pride in the gold medals won and emphasized the impressive times recorded by the cyclists. Phillips reflected on Njisane Phillip’s return to competition, praising the entire team’s efforts and TT’s strong standing in track cycling across the Pan American region.

The championships saw TT’s cyclists achieving commendable results, including Paul retaining his sprint title against Colombia’s Kevin Quintero and Teniel Campbell winning gold in the women’s points race. Campbell also earned a bronze in the women’s elimination event, underscoring her talent and determination.

Phillips highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent and suggested that more dynamic cycling events be organized to attract younger participants. He expressed hope that these events would reflect the standards of the 1980s and early 1990s cycling scene in TT, fostering greater interest and development in the sport among the youth.

In conclusion, the Trinidad and Tobago cycling team demonstrated remarkable skill and competitiveness at the Elite Pan American Track Cycling Championships, culminating in four gold medals. Nicholas Paul’s multiple victories and Teniel Campbell’s exceptional performance exemplify the nation’s cycling prowess. Michael Phillips’ insights reflect the potential for further growth in local cycling through increased engagement with younger audiences and the replication of past successful event standards, pointing toward a promising future for the sport.

Original Source: newsday.co.tt