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TRINIDAD and Tobago’s cyclists are set to unleash their best performance to date on the international stage.
The team which comprises world number No 1 in the Kilo Christopher Sellier, leaves at 7 am this morning for a live-in camp in Minnesota, United States.
Then they head out to the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico from July 24 to 28.
Yesterday Racing Secretary at the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) Gregory Dandrade said he is expecting good performances, consisting gold medals, particularly in the sprints.
He described the team, which also includes Haseem Mc Lean, Marc Codrington, Azikwe Kellar, Emile Abraham, Njisane Phillip, and brothers Joshua and Adam Alexander as the best ever prepared team.
“It is the first time that we will have such an intense and lengthy international preparation ahead of a tournament. The endurance riders are also expected to take part in a speed week as part of their warm-up,” Dandrade said.
Notably absent from the conference yesterday was Abraham, Kellar, Njisane Phillip and American coach Erin Hartwell. All will connect with the rest of the team in the US.
Dandrade pointed out that while he expects gold medals from the sprint team at the CAC, he is also envisioning improved performances for the endurance riders at the same competition.
The team which will leaves the United States July 20 for the CAC Games, has been on a high following Sellier’s gold medal and record- breaking ride at the Senior Pan American Cycling Championship ride just over a month ago, together with a series of excellent rides by the local cyclists recently.
Yesterday Sellier gave the assurance that he will try for a gold as he normally does at races but noted that it will be a challenge.
“I have worked very hard for such a performance at the Pan Am Games.
Anytime I go on the tracks I go for gold medals and to do my best. I usually have set targets and therefore go out to achieve them,” Sellier told the media.
The 25-year-old cycling ace dismissed talks that the championship will be easier because of the motivation of each cyclist to do their best. He said “We will be motivated but it will not be easier.”
He embraced the work that American coach Hartwell has done to date and said he is expecting a lot more.
Haseem Mc Lean, the Trinidad and Tobago Keirin champion said he is happy to see the kind of bonding taking place in the team. The TT team will get its campaign on the way July 24 with the Points Race, after which they will contest the sprints.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the TTCF Caryl Kellar said the team will receive the type of preparation it needs ahead of the CAC Championship, as they will train on a 250 outdoor cycle drome which will be similar to the one that will be used in Puerto Rico.
He also announced that the long awaited 250 metres state-of-the-art cycle drome to be built on the Foreshore will see the start of construction soon.
“We already have the contractors, both local and overseas, ready and therefore I expect in the next few months that work should begin” Kellar said.
