By KERN RAMLOCHAN Friday, August 13 2010
PRESIDENT of Team Beacon Cycling, Michael Phillips has written to the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) asking for an official inquiry into this country’s participation in the Match Sprint event at the recently concluded CAC Games in Puerto Rico.
Phillips made the plea at a press conference yesterday to honour Christopher Sellier and Njisane Phillip on their CAC Games accomplishments at Mike’s Bikes at the Corner of Aripita Avenue and O’Connor Street in Woodbrook.
Trinidad and Tobago’s only gold medal came from Phillip in the Match Sprint after Sellier — who was originally scheduled to ride with Azikiwe Kellar — gave up his spot.
The trio also combined in the Men’s Team Sprint where they earned a bronze medal.
Phillip was also introduced as the newest member of Team Beacon Cycling and received his official jersey and incentive cheques by Kristian Kong, manager of corporate communications at The Beacon.
He received $4,000 for the gold medal and $2,000 with Sellier for the bronze medal in the Team Sprint. Phillip then gave his $4,000 cheque to Sellier who convinced him to take his place in the Match Sprint after three cyclists were sent by the TTCF and only two could race.
He revealed that only one week before the tournament the management of the team approached the cyclist and put them in a room to decide who would race in the Match Sprint.
Phillip explained that a 250 metre time trial was proposed by coach Erin Hartwell but it did not materialise.
“The national team did a one-month training camp in Minnesota, USA, with three riders and I knew there were only spots for two. They were only beating around the bushes and you did not know what was going on and who was racing,” said Phillip yesterday. Phillip explained that he initially turned down Sellier’s offer but gave in eventually and it created much more pressure on him to perform. “Yes it was (more pressure) and I got gold and he did not. He could have raced and won gold and I could have gotten a silver. This put a lot of pressure on me and I knew I had to do something great,” said Phillip.
Sellier expressed his disappointment about not being able to ride in the Match Sprint and felt that the matter was poorly handled by the TTCF.
“I am disappointed in the federation and they should have stepped up and put the riders up front for the events,” said Sellier yesterday.
He added that poor handling of the matter by the TTCF resulted in the team underachieving and he hopes that such problems will not be repeated.
“This matter applied unnecessary pressure on the team. There is already pressure racing at events and this unnecessary pressure cost us medals” said Sellier.
In an previous interview with Newsday TTCF president, Robert Farrier stated that it was public knowledge that the National Championships was used to select the team. However, Sellier disagreed.
“The Federation did not state that the National Championships would be the qualifier.” He added that on many occasions the management was informed to move the National Championships since if followed closely after the Pan Am Games.
“I had to maintain my peak and I started to decline and I was not at my best for the CAC Games. Every year the national championships are held at a bad time,” said Sellier.
