National junior cyclists Tyler Cole and Teniel Campbell both snatched gold for T&T in the individaul time trial on the opening day of the Junior Caribbean Road Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic, yesterday.Ramon Belmontes also got on the podium, winning bronze as T&T ended day one on top the medal standings with two gold and one bronze. T&T is ahead of Puerto Rico, which has one gold and two bronze.
Cole captured the juvenile men's individual time trial crown after defeating opponents from over 13 countries in a time of 13 minutes and 55 seconds (13:55) over the 10km course. Cole captured bronze in the same event last year.Following in Cole's footsteps was Campbell, the lone female representative from T&T. Campbell too captured gold in the junior women's individual time trial in a time of 23:54 to make it two from two for team T&T.
Belmontes then ensured that T&T was well represented on the podium yesterday, after he copped bronze in the junior men's individual time trial. Nicholas Paul competing in the same category as Belmontes, finished in a commendable tenth place.
Also, making his debut for the national team, Jabari Whiteman finished in a creditable sixth place in the juvenile men's individaul time trial. Today on the second and final day of the Championships, T&T will have nine cyclists competing. Sidney Joseph, Kemp Orosco and Ronell Woods will all make their debut for T&T.
Cole and Campbell will target more sliverware today, as both riders are defending their road race titles. Last year Cole won the juvenile men's road race, while Campbell won the junior women's road race. Belmontes, Paul, Emmanuel Watson and Whiteman will also line up for T&T today. If the junior cyclists win at least four medals today, they will break the national record for the most medals at a road event.
At the Junior Road Championships last year T&T broke the record after winning six medals - four gold, one silver and one bronze. The T&T Cycling Federation extended its congratulations to the national junior team after a successful day of cycling.