Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday) reports on the recent UCI Festival of Speed Men’s Sprint in Pennsylvania. Trinidadian cyclists, Njisane Phillip and Kwesi Browne, placed ninth and tenth, respectively, while Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) rising star, Jair Tjon En Fa (Suriname), won the men’s sprint crown.

National [Trinidad and Tobago] cyclists, Njisane Phillip and Kwesi Browne, placed ninth and 10th respectively in this year’s UCI Festival of Speed Men’s Sprint event which pedalled off along the Valley Preferred Cycling Center track in Trexlertwon, Pennsylvania, on Friday night.

The Olympic-bound Phillip progressed to the second round of competition after recording the seventh fastest Flying 200m qualification time in 10.469 seconds. Browne showed similar intent in the opening stage as he also advanced eighth fastest, clocking 10.469s.

Racing in Heat Seven of the 1/16 final, the 2013 Festival of Speed sprint winner (Phillip) conquered American David Espinoza in straight rides while Browne followed suit by pulling off a well-worked win over Canadian Joel Archambault.

Into the 1/8 final against Matthew Baranoski (USA) – a repeat of Phillip’s title-winning fixture three years ago – the American cyclist would prevail this time around, bettering Phillip to a spot in the semi-finals. Browne exited too in strikingly similar fashion, going down to Ireland’s Eoin Mullen. The TT pair was then forced to contest the 1/8 final repechage to determine if they would place within the top-eight finishers.  However, Phillip went down to Argentinian Lenardro Bottasso and Kiwi Jordan Castle while Browne shared the same fate against USA’s James Mellen and Venezuelan Hersony Canelon respectively.

Going on to win the coveted men’s sprint crown was rising Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) star, Jair Tjon En Fa (Suriname), who sped past Mellen and Hugo Barrette on his way to the title. Also representing the red, white and black was Gevan Samuel, who placed 14th overall in the Pro Men 15km Scratch Race.

Phillip is expected to return to his Canadian training base alongside temporary coach and former Olympic medallist, Erin Hartwell, before returning to Trinidad to climax preparations at the National Cycling Velodrome.

For original article, see http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,229430.html

Photo above of Njisane Phillip (right) and Kwesi Browne (left) from http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2015-10-21/phillip-leads-team-world-cup

Photo of Jair Tjon En Fa from http://www.dbsuriname.com/dbsuriname/index.php/brons-voor-wielrenner-jair-tjon-en-fa/