Cycling quartet makes TT proud

Thus far the team has captured five medals at the championships with Christopher Sellier winning gold and getting a bronze in the match sprint.

Elisha Green collected a bronze competing in the Kerin while Azikiwe Kellar grabbed a silver in the kilometre time trial. The Kellar brothers also teamed up with Christopher Sellier for the team time trial where they finished with the silver medal.

“I am extremely pleased and proud of the team’s performances. For any cyclist to get on the podium of the Pan American Cycling Championships shows sacrifice and hard work,” said Phillips.

The TT quartet is scheduled to arrive at the Piarco International Airport at 4 pm on Monday where the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Sportt) has organised a welcome reception for the team.

Phillips lauded the efforts of Sportt and coach Columbian Absie Rincon in the development of cycling, also noting that the TTCF were on course to achieving their goal of becoming the dominant cycling country in the region.

“I am happy with the support Sportt has given to cycling for the past two and a half years as it was tremendous. Under coach Absie Rincon, the guys have been able to step up as we knew they had the ability to perform. In the next year you would see the physical development of the guys and they would make a big jump in performance and it shows what the riders are capable of under a structured programme,” said Phillips. “Our goal going into 2008 is to become the dominant cycling force in the Pan American and Central region and then into the greater world,” said the former national champion.

The former TT cyclist extended his congratulations to the parents of the cyclist, citing the sacrifice and cost they have incurred over the years affording their children the opportunity to ride.

Phillips said the opportunity to compete locally and internationally aided the TT cyclists at the Pan American Championships. He also made a plea for the construction of an Olympic standard track in Trinidad and Tobago which would serve as a factory for emerging top class cyclists.