Cyclist Nicholas Paul wants to peak for Trinidad and Tobago at Paris Olympics

Nicholas Paul begins his second quest in pursuit of TT’s first Olympic cycling medal on August 7, when he faces the starter in the men’s flying 200-metre, an event in which he holds the world record.

Paul, 25, is a world-renowned favourite to seal a potential podium place in Paris, since his performances at major international meets over the past three years, post-Tokyo 2020, have been exceptional.

Considered the fastest man on two wheels in the western hemisphere, the Gasparillo native has climaxed preparations at the World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland, ahead of the quadrennial meet.

“Another big games coming up soon. Preparation has been going great and I’m just awaiting the time to go on the track and execute good races. Training has ramped up a lot since the last few months,” he said.

Paul works alongside WCC coach Craig MacLean, a nine-time World Championships medallist and Olympic team sprint silver medallist for the UK. MacLean is one of the key catalysts behind Paul’s success on the track over the past several years.

Paul wants to be at his best at the right time.

“We’ve been coming into the Olympic cycle, so you have to be in the best form possible. It’s getting closer. We’re coming down to try to get the best peak possible. It’s been going good,” he added.

At his first Summer Games in Tokyo, Paul finished a credible sixth in the men’s sprint and was unluckily disqualified in the keirin semi-final. He will contest both events in Paris.

TT keirin speedster Kwesi Browne is also with Paul and MacLean at the WCC, sharpening up for his second Olympic stint.

Paul opens his sprint campaign in defence of his blistering 9.1-second world record, set back in 2019 in Bolivia. He, however, is more focused on the tournament’s top prize.

To capture an historic, first Olympic cycling medal for TT is his ultimate goal in Paris.

“As with every race, I take it one race at a time. As I go into racing I always want to put my best foot forward and hopefully win. The goal is to go out there and try to win a medal for TT. That’s been the goal from the start.”

The past three years have brought great success for Paul, barring a broken collarbone in a medal-filled 2022.

From an array of UCI Nations Cup and Elite Pan American Track Cycling Championship medals, the ace cyclist also became TT’s most decorated rider when he notched two World Championship medals in 2021 (time trial bronze) and 2023 (sprint silver).

He’s yet to taste coveted Olympic glory. When asked what it would mean to climb the podium, Paul said it would mean “the world” to him.

“Since I’ve joined cycling and started taking part in the elite level of competition, that has been my goal, to be able to win an Olympic medal. I’ve been working really hard towards that and the chance to get that goal only comes around every four years, so you have to make use of the chances when they come. I want to complete the task.”

The Paris Games begin on July 26, but Paul gets into action almost two weeks later. He plans to head to France at the end of July.

Over the next two weeks, Paul wants to “keep everything level” and maintain his fitness and health to go into the games in the best form possible.

Mentally, he said, he’s good.

“I’m always in a good mental space, because I’m doing what I love, representing the country and just having fun, so having a good mental space is always top priority.”

On facing the world’s best cyclists in pursuit of the sport’s most prestigious prize, Paul closed, “It’s going to be the best of the best. Olympics brings out the best in all athletes in all sports, so...you have to come out there and do your best.”