The top Trinidad and Tobago cyclists will continue a busy year as they prepare for the 2015 Pan American Games, which will be hosted in Toronto, Canada. A small six-member team has qualified for the big meet, and will be participating in both the sprint and endurance events during the Games.
The members of the team are all abroad currently, preparing for their competition which starts next Thursday, July 16. The team includes London Olympian Njisane Phillip, Quincy Alexander, Justin Roberts, Jude Codrington as the sprinters, while Varun Maharajh is the sole endurance rider and Emile Abraham will participate in the road race.
Rigtech Sonics clubmates Phillip and Maharajh are both based in Pennslyvania, USA at the moment, while Alexander, Codrington and Roberts are in Colorado. Emile Abraham is in Atlanta.
The T&T cycling contingent will be competing in the team sprint event via Alexander, Codrington and Roberts. Phillip will compete only in the individual events which will include the match sprint and keirin. His local rival Alexander will also be in the sprint. Elite class endurance rider Maharahj will contest the men's omnium.
T&T's cyclists qualified for the Pan American Games based on the results from the last two Pan American Cycling Championships held in 2013 and 2014, as well as results from the CAC Games last year. This year's team will be headed by Des Dickie, team coach, while David Francis will serve as the team manager. Christopher Pitt is the team's mechanic.
The Games as a whole will commence tomorrow and will conclude on July 26. The cycling competition runs from July 16-19.