Njisane eager to grace World Championship stage

The Rigtech Sonics representative previously qualified for the 2012 edition in Melbourne, Australia, but opted out to finalise preparations for the London Olympic Games. He also made this decision to ensure that he was fully recovered from a serious collarbone injury sustained at the Pan American Championships in Beijing, China, one year prior. Coming off a historic fourth place finish in the Men’s Sprint at the Summer Games, Phillip also qualified for the 2013 World Championships in Minsk, Belarus, but again chose to sit this one out and rest after a hectic but memorable Olympic campaign.

This year, however, Phillip will finally plant his wheels along the World circuit and mark yet another historic competitive debut for the promising 22-year-old.

“I’ve set my sights on the World Championships, even though I’ll also be taking part in the season’s final World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, in three weeks. Currently I’m second on the World Cup sprint rankings so I’m hoping to produce a good ride in Mexico and hopefully take the tournament’s top prize. The World Cup should also put me through a good training regime as well, so I’m looking forward to both events,” he explained.

Highlighting Phillip’s campaign in 2013 was his capture of sprint silver in Manchester, England-leg of the World Cup. He went on to grasp eighth place in the same event in Aguascalientes, Mexico, last month but is intent on improving his performance in Guadalajara.

Presently, the multiple national champion is back at his American base in Los Angeles, California, after spending the Christmas holiday in TT. He returned to LA on Monday morning accompanied by Rigtech Sonics club-mate, Varun Maharajh, who will also represent this nation in the Omnium at the coming World Cup. Phillip has already returned to training with his team of coach Jamie Staff, manager Peter Maharaj and Travis Smith while Maharajh also heads back to the grind with his tutor, Neal Henderson. After the World Championships, Phillip revealed that his 2014 competitive schedule continues with several international meets. With a recent request from Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation president, Rowena Williams, for a TT Commonwealth Games medal, Phillip confirmed that he would be a part of this nation’s team for the upcoming Games, which pedals off in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 - August 3.

“I’m also working towards getting a Commonwealth medal this year. It would be a first for me and means a lot coming up to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic qualifiers scheduled for 2015. I just want to keep my game up on the global circuit and continue riding and producing good results at the major meets,” he added.

In this month’s World Cup, Phillip has passed the baton onto youngster Kwesi Browne, who is expected to represent TT in the Keirin. Phillip is confident that Browne has what it takes to make a lasting impression.

“Giving Kwesi a chance is good for him. He’s like my little brother so experiences like this would be very important for him and his development,” Phillip noted.

Also, Maharajh will be aiming to secure his World Championships debut at the coming World Cup. After two challenging 19th place finishes at the previous editions, Maharajh final chance of securing a place at Worlds is to better his showing in Guadalajara.

In related news, Phillip heaped praises on compatriot and Olympic medallist Richard “Torpedo” Thompson, for coming to his assistance after being involved in a minor accident in Diego Martin after the Spirit of Sport Awards ceremony on Saturday night.

He concluded, “His actions show the camaraderie that us Trinidad and Tobago athletes have for each other. I hurt my shoulder a bit but it’s nothing that a little therapy wouldn’t fix.”