T&T’s top international women’s cyclist, Teniel Campbell, together with Tariq Woods and Benjamin Mouttet, were all crowned National Road Race champions after the T&T Cycling Federation (TTCF) second day of its two-day National Championships on Sunday.
Campbell, who represents Team Bike Exchange – Jayco in Australia and competes on the pro circuit, added the road race title to the national Time Trial crown she won on Saturday in the Elite Women category. She crossed the finish line in a time of two hours, 30 minutes and 04 seconds, wearing the colours of her local team PSL CC.
Kanika Paul-Payne, who was second to Campbell the day before, secured the same position again.
Following the race, she wrote on her Facebook page, “Happy to be able to come home for National Championships and as a bonus spend a quick week with my family. Was an overwhelming first two days with lost luggage, but I guess the fam was happy for that as they were able to get more of me but unfortunately more the moody side due to this. Was looking forward to hurting the men this morning but unfortunately a really, really stupid mechanical prevented that. Luckily, I got another bike otherwise would have needed to pull a ‘froomy’. Guess my brother needed to be here so I could have cracked him to and stretch their lungs, would have been extra good fun. Currently off to the airport with extra weight. Can’t wait to see my new kits from @alecyclingofficial in the national colours. Next stop Italy.”
Woods, meanwhile, the lone rider to have sealed a place on the T&T team for the Caribbean Championships to date, expectedly claimed the elite men and the under-23 titles, following a superior time of 2:26.40 riding for the Evolution Cycling Academy.
Enrique De Comarmond, Kirtson George and Adam Francis sealed the second, third and fourth positions, respectively, among the elite riders.
De Comarmond also finished behind Woods in the Under-23s for Pharmaco Revolution while Adam Francis was third for The Braves.
Mouttet, on the other hand, sprinted past the finish line in a similar 2:26.40 to be the top junior in the road cycling. The Team Breakaway CC rider held off second-place Nkoro Samuel from Team Hummingbirds International and Jarel Mohammed, who both claimed the second and third places, respectively.