Cyclists called for Swiss ‘worlds’

TRINIDAD and Tobago cyclists, bidding for selection on the national team for the upcoming World “B” Championships in Switzerland, must compete at the upcoming National Champion-ships.

This is the major stipulation handed down by the Racing Committee of the Cycling Federation which recently met and named the shortlist of riders to begin preparation for the competition  which begins on May 21. The Racing Committee comprises Ken Williams, chairman; Frank Gittens, Racing Secretary; Carlton Waldron, assistant racing secretary; Ronald Dickie Jnr., and Edward Watson, committtee members. Coming out of the meeting it was pointed out that performances at the National Championships will be one of the major criteria for selection of the national team.

Watson, also Public Relations Officer of the TTCF, said yesterday the World “B” Championships are very important for the TT riders since it is the only avenue left for them to qualify for the Olympic Games next year in Athens, Greece. The TTCF official said 18 cyclists have been selected (track and road) to undergo preparation for the “worlds” with their participation in the National Championships one of the criteria for selection on the national team for Switzerland. The track squad is headed by “Cyclist of the Year” Elisha Greene and includes brothers Ako and Azikiwe Kellar; Joshua Alexander, Mario Joseph, Clinton Grant, Ray Phillips and United States-based Ryan Sabga and Roger Farrell.

Caribbean champion Stephen Mangroo is top of the road list followed by Tour of Tobago winner Emile Abraham; Shannon Metevier, Sheldon Ramjit, David Alves, Roger Smart, Guy Costa, Tobagonian Sheldon King and Winzy Mohammed. Mangroo leaves shortly for a three-month competitive stint in Belgium while Abraham is currently overseas on the professional circuit but both are expected to participate in the National Championship events and stake their claim for inclusion on the TT team. Watson said the track competition of the National Championships pedals off on May 21 at the concrete banked track of the Arima Velodrome. First event is the kilometre time trial from 7 pm.

Watson also announced that the road race time trial will be at Wallerfield on Sunday, August 31, with the road race at La Romain on Sunday, September 7. And the categories under consideration are Seniors, Juniors, Veterans 40, 50 and 60 and Separate. All other events are categorised as “Special” and accumulated points will determine the overall champion.

National Championship
Track Programme
May 21 — Kilometre time trial (7 pm)
May 23 — Match Sprint, prelims (7 pm)
May 24 — Match Sprint Finals (4 pm)
May 25 — 10-mile (4 pm)
May 30 — Keirin, Team Sprint (4 pm)
May 31 — Individual Pursuit (4 pm)
June 1 — Team Pursuit, Points Race (4 pm)