Nicholas Paul unseated PSL’s Haseem Mc Lean to become the national champion in the Men’s Keirin while Akil Campbell added two more national titles to his name when the T&T Cycling Federation’s 2019 National Track Cycling Championships continued at the National Cycling Centre in Couva on Thursday night.
In the Men’s Keirin, Paul beat fellow national teammate Quincy Alexander of team DPS in a thrilling final sprint. The 20-year-old Pan American and CAC Games champion found another gear entering the final lap and Alexander was not able to match his opponent at all during the 250-lap around the National Cycling Center track. Paul finished the race in an official time of 10.432 seconds. Alexander finished second, with Mc Lean settling for third. Paul was also the winner of the Under 23 classification followed by Darius Beckles and Donnell Harrison.
Earlier in the evening, Akil Campbell, winner of the Men’s Omnium on Wednesday, collected his second national crown when he won the Individual Pursuit. The PSL rider clocked four minutes, 48.198 seconds, which was more than three seconds faster than Tyler Cole representing team DPS. Adam Alexander placed third in four minutes, 55.736 seconds.
Campbell followed up that performance, winning the Men’s Scratch race as well.
The reigning CAC Games bronze medalist in the Criterium, Campbell fought off a brave surge from Team DPS rider, Kemp Orosco who made his move on the final bend but could not repel Campbell who came over the top and passed the DPS man on the line.
RESULTS
Individual Pursuit – U23 Men
1 Tyler Cole*(Team DPS) – 4:51.668
2 Kemp Orosco*(Team DPS) – 5:09.953
3 Maurice Burnett*(Team DPS) – 5:14.216
4 Nathan Alexander*(Team Woods) – 5:22.024
Keirin – U23 Men
1 Nicholas Paul*(Unattached)
2 Darius Beckles*(Unattached)
3 Donnell Harrison*(Rigtech Sonics)
Scratch Race – U23 Men
1 Kemp Orosco*(Team DPS)
2 Tyler Cole *(Team DPS)
3 Donnell Harrison*(Rigtech Sonics)
4 Maurice Burnetter*(Team DPS)
