Olympic-bound cyclists to get bikes ‘at least by March’

TOKYO-BOUND cyclists Nicholas Paul, Kwesi Browne and Teniel Campbell should receive their new Olympic equipment from the TT Cycling Federation (TTCF) by March.

So said Joseph Roberts, TTCF president, who is currently finalising payments with France-based pro bike supplier Look.

The cyclists are expected to receive brand new bike frames, helmets, gloves, shoes and other necessary equipment and accessories towards their Olympic campaign. Some of these items are also being sourced by a local supplier.

Roberts confirmed, on Wednesday, the equipment has already been ordered from suppliers and should arrive at their respective destinations within the next ten weeks.

Presently, Paul and Browne are fine-tuning their Olympic preparations at the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland under coach Craig McLean.

Campbell, however, is in Italy and gearing up to begin her second season as TT’s first women’s pro cyclist. After spending her opening season with Italian women’s team Valcar Travel & Service, Campbell has now joined up with Spain-based Australian pro cycling team Mitchelton-Scott.

“Up to this morning (Wednesday) we (TTCF) are just making the (financial) transfer to the Look Company in France. The bikes should be delivered at least by March,” Roberts said.

In November, Roberts, TTCF vice-president Ian Cole, a representative from Central Spokes Cycling Club and Olympic debutants Paul, Browne and Campbell held a virtual meeting to address any concerns surrounding the athletes’ Olympic journey.

There, the athletes and their respective representatives queried about the equipment and the length of time it would take to be delivered.

Roberts has now reassured that the process has already begun for the athletes to receive their long-awaited machinery and furnishings.

“We have made some significant headway (with acquiring the items). Some of the other things that Nicholas wanted, we sent a list to a local supplier here for a road bike. We’re advancing this process as we speak,” said Roberts.

Paul and Browne returned to Switzerland to resume training in October while Campbell has been in Italy since December 2019. The trio chose to not return home for the Christmas holiday owing to pandemic and its adverse effects on international travel.

The cyclists believe there was too much risk flying home for the holiday and the possibility of getting stuck in TT, or another country, due to unpredictable covid19 travel restrictions.

Paul and Browne will compete in the men’s sprint and keirin events at the 2021 Games while Campbell, also on Olympic debut, lines up against the globe’s top female outdoor riders in the road race.

According to Roberts, Paul and Browne will make a welcome return to the competitive circuit when they head over to Japan (April 2-4) and England (April 22-25) for the International Cycling Union (UCI) Track Cycling Nations Cup.

The annual World Cup series – a World Track Cycling Championships and Olympic qualifier series – was replaced by the Nations Cup.

The TTCF president added, “Things are going pretty ok (with Paul and Browne. They haven’t returned so they would have been in Switzerland throughout the Christmas vacation.

“Obviously that has been a challenge for them. They are also preparing for one of the Nations Cup tournaments in Japan and England in March/April.” However, Roberts believes the UCI Nations Cup remains dependent on the host country’s control of the pandemic. Because of England’s recent spike in confirmed covid19 cases, coaches and cyclists alike are continuously monitoring the situation as the Summer Games draws closer.

The Games of the XXXII Olympiad is scheduled to be held from July 23 to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.