Nicholas Paul made his mark on the UCI World Cycling Championships, securing silver for Trinidad and Tobago on Monday in the Elite Men’s Sprint event.
Paul sustained his only two losses in the competition at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Scotland in the best-of-three final at the hands of two-time Olympic gold medallist Harrie Lavreysen, who picked up his fifth world sprint title. Still, the T&T cyclist adds a second silver to his collection after picking up Time Trial silver at the 2021 World Championships.
Earlier in the day, Paul made sure of precious metal by defeating Poland’s Rudyk Mateusz in two semi-final rides to reach the decider.
The T&T speedster also disposed of British rider Joseph Truman in the quarterfinal round. And in the 1/8 round, he got past three-time sprint silver medallist Jeffrey Hoogland, Lavreysen’s countryman, who edged Paul in the time trial last time out. In the 1/16 round, Paul earned a bye after finishing third in the preliminary Flying 200 event, also topped by Lavreysen.
Also representing the Red, White and Black, Akil Campbell finished 22nd overall in the Omnium competition after completing the points race.
Paul will next line up in Heat 2 of the Men’s keirin event tomorrow (Aug. 8), with compatriot Kwesi Browne expected to start in Heat 4.
Teniel Campbell, the lone female competitor from T&T, will contest the Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial event on Thursday and the Women’s Elite Road Race on August 13.