Njisane snatches Sprint victory

Phillip had earlier defeated Kellar (Team Foundation/TTO ) in the 1/8 Finals, his teammate and training partner Keron Bramble (TTO ) in the quarter-finals and then two-time Olympian Hersony Canelon of Venezuela in the Semi-Finals. His trek through the phases set up a mouth-watering clash with Mullen which did not disappoint.

Earlier in the day, Phillip set a new velodrome record in the Flying 200m with a time of 10.258 seconds to eclipse Quincy Alexander’s record of 10.277 seconds, set just moments before. The record previously stood at 10.453 secs before Monday.

Mullen silenced the partisan crowd by beating Phillip in the first ride of the best out-of-three match-up by taking the front and leaving no chance for Phillip to overtake him. In the second ride, Phillip returned the favour as he led early to level the contest. The tension in the crowd was evident in anticipation of the the third and final race as TT supporters got off their seats to urge Phillip to victory. The Olympian did not let down his fans, squeaking across the line just ahead of Mullen by inches.

Speaking with Newsday after the tournament, Phillip expressed gratitude to the public for their continued support.

“I love seeing (the turnout) and I am really happy for the ever- growing support from Trinidad and Tobago towards cycling.

The energy from over 2000 supporters inside the velodrome was electrifying and it was very motivating for us on the track to get victories,” he said.

Nerves of performing in-front of the large crowd of local supporters did not affect the young Jabari Whiteman as the 16 year old displayed his fine form on the final day, copping the gold medal in the Junior’s Sprint. Whiteman fought off his fellow countrymen, Shaquille Henry (Arima Wheelers) and Dean Woodsley (Breakaway), as they left the fans anticipating the future of the sport as they sped around the blistering track.

TT ’s Teneil Campbell had to settle for fourth in the Women’s Elite Sprint which was won by USA’s Mandy Marquardt. The American made light work of Colombian Diana Garcia in the final. Marquardt was also responsible for resetting the velodrome record in the Flying 200m for Women from 12.002 secs set by Andrea Ortiz in 2016 to an impressive 11.349 seconds. Akil Campbell of PSL claimed gold in the Men’s Omnium III Elimination Event, beating Dominican Meran German and USA’s Daniel Holloway respectively.

Also announced on the night was that this country will host the Elite Pan American Track Cycling Championships scheduled for August 20 to September 3 at the National Cycling Centre.