Campbell tipped for 'Road Worlds'

ITALY-based cyclist, Teniel Campbell is favoured to fly the red, white and black at the September 20-27 International Cycling Union (UCI) Road World Championships in Aigle-Martigny, Switzerland.

Due to the gradual lift on covid19 restrictions worldwide, the UCI recently released its revised 2020 international road calendar. This schedule, however, remains under constant evaluation and is subject to modification amidst the evolution of the pandemic.

According to TT Cycling Federation (TTCF) president Joseph Roberts, Campbell, who represents Italian women’s pro club Valcar Cylance Travel & Service, is tipped to be this nation’s lone contender at the prestigious meet.

The 2019 First Citizens Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year’s selection to compete is expected to be based on her current world ranking. Over the past two years, the 23-year-old has singlehandedly risen TT to a credible 26th (717.33pts) on the World Nation Ranking and is currently positioned at 29th (671.33pts) on the World Individual Ranking.

The surging road racer opted to remain in Europe throughout the ongoing pandemic although Italy, up to Wednesday, recorded 231,139 coronavirus cases and 33,072 deaths.

“UCI has released their restrictions a little because some road events will continue in August. Based on where you are ranked in the world, the UCI may indicate to you on your participation. For certain, Teniel will be someone we will have to consider as she is an Olympic athlete and needs to compete at a high level. She has also been doing the necessary work during the downtime and is in contact with the TTCF,” said Roberts.

Additionally, as restrictions continue to ease, Roberts is also planning to return fellow Olympic debutants Nicholas Paul and Kwesi Browne to the World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland to resume their detailed training regime.

Prior and during the pair’s final round of Olympic qualifying meets in late 2019 and early 2020, the duo spent a lot of time at the WCC working on their trade ahead of the now rescheduled Olympic Games.

The WCC is a multi-sport training centre which plays host to elite programmes organised by national federations and welcomes pro sportsmen and women to devote all their energies to their sporting careers.

“We’re looking to ensure Nicholas and Kwesi begin a new block of training soon. And we’re looking into this very carefully. Our plan is for them to resume training at the WCC as soon as possible. They are in different phases of their training. But we have to wait until the UCI is back to its full potential and only then would the guys be able to return resume their training there,” Roberts added.

While the TTCF head is eager for a speedy lift on global travel restrictions for the sake of TT’s cycling development, he affirmed the local sporting fraternity must and will abide by the Government’s phased reopening regulations regarding the resumption of sport and use of national sporting facilities.

“The Road World Championships for Teniel and Paul and Browne’s return to Switzerland all depend on the restrictions locally and internationally. We will adapt accordingly and keep on planning,” Roberts concluded.