Trinidad and Tobago cyclists await equipment months ahead of Tokyo Games

The TT Cycling Federation (TTCF) has been working assiduously to ensure its three Olympic-bound cyclists receive all the necessary equipment for their Tokyo 2021 campaigns.

Track sprinters Nicholas Paul and Kwesi Browne are currently based at the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland while Campbell is in Spain with her new women’s pro team Team BikeExchange.

The three riders are all Olympic debutants with the latter serving as TT’s first female to secure Olympic qualification in road cycling.

Payment for Paul and Browne’s bike frames were recently wired to the supplier, Look Cycle (France). However, there has been some technical difficulties in completing the financial transfer owing to a lack of foreign exchange.

Newly appointed TTCF president Rowena Williams confirmed the payment but was unable to say when the specialised frames would be delivered to the sprinters.

Campbell’s bike, on the other hand, will be sourced by her team and then an invoice sent to the TTCF for payment. As a pro cyclist with a signed contract, Campbell’s bike must be built to specification to suit her physique and race type.

“The wire transfers were done but there has been a delay with the bank not having sufficient foreign exchange so we are communicating with the bank for updates. I could only say when they will receive the frames once I know the money goes to the suppliers.

“Teniel's bicycle requirements are different as she has to use bikes from her team. We are working with her to ensure all her needs are met based on her contractual obligations. We are also working on getting equipment for Teniel based on her needs at this time,” said Williams.

Like Campbell, both Paul and Browne’s frames must also be custom built to their body and muscle structure to guarantee the best performance.

However, with a continued global bike shortage and suppliers working overtime to ensure cyclists’, particularly Olympians, requirements are met, Paul and Browne may have to wait just a bit longer to receive the majority of their Olympic equipment.

Paul’s domestic club, Central Spokes, has also chipped in to ensure their rider has all his requirements for the Summer Games.

Speaking to club member Larry Ali last week, he said things are progressing slowly but surely. He commended Williams on her pro-active approach towards making sure TT’s potential Olympians are properly prepared for their competitive debut.

“The new president is getting things going because the last administration made it really difficult.

“It’s a specialised bike so they’re only built it by order. They (Paul and Browne) both need small frames. Based on the backlog, we’re going into Olympics in a couple months and Olympic bikes are a hot commodity right now.

“Things are moving along. We went ahead and ordered other supplies for Nicholas just be sure. There are additional items that the cyclist will need and we wanted to ensure Nicholas has these things,” Ali said.

Paul and Browne will compete in the men’s sprint and keirin events while Campbell gears up for the women’s road race.

The sprinter’s bike frames would be similar but parts such as the handles, crank and wheels would be different according to the size and shape of the riders.