Golden Phillip shines at ‘Barracuda’ meet

The Olympic-bound cyclist powered to victory in the 500 metres, 20 Laps and Elite One and Elite Two events. His dominant performances now puts him ahead of all other competing cyclists of the two-day cycling meet. At the end of the meet, judges will evaluate every cyclist’s points tally and crown an overall winner, runner-up and third place athlete in every contested division. These overall winners in each category would be sharing $15,000 in prizes.

Phillip also advanced to the semi-finals of the Sprint event when he easily defeated national junior cyclist Justin Roberts while Rigtech Sonics rider Keron Bramble beat Elijah Greene.

The multiple national record holder (Phillip) will now face Bramble in heat one of the “semis”. Heat two will see a heated battle between nationals Haseem McLean against Thireef Smart. Mclean strolled into the semi-final after Jamaican cyclist Marloe Rodman arrived late for his heat while Smart sealed a semi-finalist spot when he narrowly beat Jude Codrington.

Meanwhile, Varun Maharaj rode to gold in the 2400m Individual Pursuit in a time of 3:04.76. He blew past runner-up Rodman (3:08.91) and third-placed Linford Blackwood of Team Trek (3:09.46).

Before the start of day one’s proceedings, over 150 cyclists from various clubs spanning Trinidad and Tobago converged at the venue and took part in a lap of honour in memory of the former Rigtech Sonics coach, Noel Luces. The veteran cyclist was the driving force behind Rigtech Sonics and was also a leader in the fraternity, particularly in south Trinidad. This year the League’s motto is “This one is for you, Noel”.

The annual cycling meet is also being held to honour Hilton “Barracuda” Mitchell who rode for the club (Southampton Wheelers) in 1958 at the Southern Games. Hilton had his cycling career curtailed prematurely after being paralysed by a falling wall at his California home in 1959. “Barracuda” represented TT with distinction at the Paraplegic Games in Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, Argentina and Scotland.

On Friday, Pharmco Industries presented Mitchell with a new wheelchair to assist in his mobility.

The event was formally opened by the Mayor of San Fernando, Marlene Coudray. This year’s sponsors include Perfection Services Limited (main investor), Angari Contractors Limited, Monar Industrial Sales and Service, Paratech Limited, Trincan Oil Limited, Quintana Sales and Service Limited, Security Escort Services Limited, Plumbing Solutions Limited, Procare Limited, Ivar Limited, Horace Drugs, Francis Contracting Limited, Southern Petroleum Services Limited and the San Fernando City Corporation.