Emile grabs bronze in World Championship cycling

TRINIDAD and Tobago cyclists saved the best for last at the “B” World Cycling Championships which ended yesterday in Switzerland.

Leading Caribbean road cyclist Emile Abraham led the TT parade with a bronze medal, when he placed third in an elimination event similar to the “Devil Take the Hindmost”. Leading track pedal-pusher Clinton Grant also shot into the world spotlight when he placed a creditable fifth, in the keirin race, while Azikiwe Kellar improved on his best time in the kilometre time trial for fifth also. Yesterday, Public Relations Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) said it was, overall, an improved performance from the local wheelsmen in the face of top class competition. He explained that the standard of cycling at the “B” Worlds was unusually higher this year as the top countries sent their star riders in an attempt to gain qualification for the Olympics Games in Athens, next year. The first two riders in the events gain automatic qualification. “The big nations have tried something and got through with it to our detriment. They stayed out of the World Cup and attended this championship reducing our chances,” said Watson.

Reports coming out of Europe yesterday stated that Abraham was well poised to challenge for the gold medal, when he was wrongly called for an infringement. But the decision was quickly  overuled by the chief judge. “So Emile had to make up lost ground. He rode admirably to come from the back to earn the bronze. He said he was really feeling good,” said Watson yesterday. The Cycling Federation spokesman also commended the performance of Grant and Kellar who both proved they can rank among the best in the world in trying circumstances. He said Kellar improved on his best kilo time of 1.08 which got him a bronze medal at the last “B” World Championships in China. Yesterday Kellar clocked at 1.07:2 which could only get him fifth place. Watson said the Europe-based riders, Stephen Mangroo and David Als, head back to Belgium where they are racing professionally, while the rest of the team heads for home. The Cycling Federation official will join the Trinidadians in Belgium from July 29, when over a ten-day period he will observe the mechanics of professional cycling in the mecca of the sport.