CYCLING

Trinidad and Tobago’s sole Olympic cycling hopeful, Njisane Phillip, touched down in Hong Kong early yesterday morning ahead of his penultimate 2016 Summer Games qualifier event – UCI World Cup Series third and final leg – which pedals off in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Adam Alexander of Team Foundation claimed the first road race of the year yesterday, when he took the event from the Mucurapo Foreshore to Couva and back.

OVER 150 cyclists are expected to place their bikes on the line for the opening of the 2016 Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) Racing Season with the first leg of the Road Series pedalling off from the Mucurapo Foreshore today from 7am.

The celebration has already began in Siparia, Trinidad where cyclist Njisane Phillip lives with his mom, stepdad Phillip Whiteman and other family members.

The T&T Cycling Federation has made major changes to pedal in line with the world body for cycling, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Yesterday, the T&TCF president Robert Farrier announced his federation is on the verge of finalising major adjustments to its constitution which will enhance its development as an organisation.

The sport of cycling dates back to the 1800’s, when in 1817 the first actual bicycle was developed. The safety bike was created in 1890, and this model was considered as being much safer than those in the past, most of which had one wheel much larger than the other. The safety bike was invented using metal that was strong enough to make a fine chain and a sprocket that was small and light enough for a human being to power.

In 1896 cycling was introduced to the Olympic Games with six opening events and nineteen cyclists, all men, from five nations competing. The sport of cycling has been included in every Olympic Games.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) is the local body responsible for cycling. Please follow this link for more information about the TTCF: http://www.ttcyclingfederation.com/