Campbell claims 2nd Caribbean gold

Pan American Track Cycling action continued on Saturday night at the National Cycling Centre, Couva, and this time it was TT’s women who shone as they found themselves on Caribbean Championships podium.

Firstly, in the Women’s 500m, the hosts walked away with the gold and bronze medals when Teniel Campbell took the Caribbean title in 35.76 seconds. She was followed by Cuban cyclist Mirta Garcia in second while TT’s Jessica Costa secured the bronze.

The elite Pan Am gold in the event went to Mexico’s Jessica Salazar with her time of 34.59 seconds. The silver medal was captured by Martha Bayona of Columbia in 34.63 seconds and the United States representative, Mandy Marquardt, took bronze in 35.18.

Trinidad and Tobago also managed the bronze medal in the Caribbean Championship Women’s Individual Pursuit 3000m (12 Laps), courtesy Alexandra Bovell. Mailin Sanchez and Claudia Baro took the gold and silver medals respectively for Cuba.

The Pan Am gold in the 12 laps race went to Kelly Catlin of the United States with her 3:34.48 ride. Canadian Kinley Gibson pedaled to silver in 3:40.61, as the Cuban Mailin Sanchez rallied to bronze in 3:44.06.

The first Women’s Madison event in an Elite Pan Am Championships was won by Canada’s Allison Beveridge and Stephanie Roorda with 35 points. The event is 20km (80 laps) with sprints every 10 laps, equivalent to eight sprints.

Two cyclists represented each country in a tag, meaning, when the rider in the pelton wants to make a switch, they tag their teammate by slinging the other rider into the peleton to continue the laps until the end. The switch can be done anytime.

The silver medal was won by the United States’ Kimberly Geist and Kimberly Zubris, with 30 points, and bronze went to Mexico’s Sofia Arreola and Mayra Rocha (16 points).

The Caribbean Madison title went to Cuba’s team of Marlies Mejias and Yeima Torres.

The Men’s match sprint was very exciting with Hugo Barrette of Canada, in the gold position, Columbia’s Fabian Puerta copped second, and bronze medalist En Fa Jair Tjon of Suriname.

The Men’s Point Race Final 30km (120 laps) saw points being obtained every five laps.

Capturing the most points after the event and winning gold was Eric Young from the United States on 21 points.

Chilean Antonio Cabrera finished on 19 points to claim the silver medal while Columbian Edwin Avila rallied to bronze, as he also ended in 19 points.

Cuba grabbed both gold and silver of the event in the Caribbean aspect as Yans Arias, finished on six points and Leandro Marcosn on 5 points. William Guzman of the Dominican Republic got bronze as he ended the race on three points.

The Pan Am Track Cycling Championships concluded last night with action continuing until press time.