T&T's Njisane Phillip set a new national and Pan American record in the Flying 200m at the ProCycling US Grand Prix of Sprinting Meet at the Colorado Springs Velodrome, USA on Saturday night. Phillip clocked 9.775 to finish fourth in the event, a precursor to the Match Sprint, and become "the fastest cyclist in the history of the Western Hemisphere." He was upstaged by the German trio of Robert Forstemann (9.652), who set new national and track records, Stefan Nimke (9.670) and Rene Enbers (9.749). In the ensuing Match Sprint 1/8 final, Phillip got the better of German Robert Kantner and was set to face American Kevin Mansker in last night's quarterfinals at 9:30 pm. The semis and final were to follow a short time later.
Countrymen Justin Roberts and Quincy Alexander also had memorable performances though they did not qualify for the next round. Roberts, who placed 16th overall, surpassed Phillip's former national Junior Flying 200m mark of 10.434 with 10.429 while Alexander set a new personal best time of 10.345 to finish 17th. The fourth man on the team, Haseem McLean, was 24th in 10.737. In the Team Sprint, Phillip partnered with Americans Giddeon Massie and TJ Mathieson to finish third in roughly 1:01 while the trio of McLean, Roberts and Alexander came in sixth in 1:03.48.
Flying 200m Time Trial
1. Robert Forstemann (Germany) - 9.652 (German and track record) .
2. Stefan Nimke (Germany - 9.670
3. Rene Enbers (Germany 9.749)
4. Njisane Phillip (T&T) - 9.775
16. Justin Roberts (T&T) - 10.429
17. Quincy Alexander (T&T) - 10.345
24. Haseem McLean (T&T) - 10.737