CYCLIST, Njjisane Phillip has earned an essential 100 points toward his London 2012 Olympic qualification campaign.
Phillip obtained the necessary points after his eighth place ride at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan last week.
The result in Astana sent Phillip’s overall Olympic tally to 310 points. This accomplishment also saw Phillip maintain his impressive world number five rank in the Men’s Individual Sprint. In addition, Phillip’s result assisted him to leap into pole position in the Pan American region.
Phillip is now 20 points ahead of Hersony Canelon of Venezuela and 16 points behind world record holder and current European champion, Kevin Sireau of France.
The Beacon rider’s performance in Astana has enhanced his chances of sealing a spot for Trinidad and Tobago in the Olympic cycling event. Presently, there are only two positions available for the Pan American region. However, the top local cyclist is currently ahead of the other Pan American competitors.
To stay above all Pan American riders, Phillip must have outstanding performances over the next few months at World Cups in Cali (Colombia), Beijing (China), London (England), the Pan American Cycling Championships (Argentina) and the World Championships in Melbourne (Australia).
The 100 points he obtained in Astana have become more valuable since the remaining COPACI (Pan American Cycling Federation) members Canelon, Angel Pulgar (Venezuela), Michael Blatchford (US), Kevin Mansker (US), Joseph Veloce (Canada), Flavio Cipriano (Brazil), Dieferson Forges (Brazil), Romero (Colombia) only received 10 points each for their London 2012 bid.
The remaining Pan American cyclists in the top 20 individual list are Canelon (6th 290pts), Jimmy Watkins (15th 155pts) and Fabian Hernando (17th 143pts).
Phillip’s forthcoming Olympic qualification meets:
World Cup II - Santiago de Cali, Colombia (1st-3rd December)
World Cup III - Beijing, China (13th-15th January 2012)
World Cup IV - London, England (17-19th February 2012)
Pan American Cycling Championships - Mar del Plata, Argentina (5-9th March, 2012)
World Championships - Melbourne, Australia (4-8th April, 2012)
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh
Source: www.newsday.co.tt