Tyler Smith Wins Two Medals In Suriname
[Updated] Tyler Smith powered his way to a second place finish, claiming the silver medal in the individual time trial at the 2014 Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships being held Paramaribo, Suriname.
Also competing in the same category as Tyler Smith was Christian Oatley, who finished 13th, while Gabriella Arnold placed 7th in the Girls category.
In the junior male category, Daniel Oatley finished an impressive 5th and teammate Justin Ferreira came in 12th.
Bermuda Bicycle Association President Peter Dunne said, “As the level of this competition increases year over year, it is satisfying to see Bermuda’s junior cyclists not only remain competitive but achieve such high results.”
Update 7.32pm: Tyler Smith has done it again – claiming his second silver medal of these Championships earlier today.
Competing in the Juvenile category [age 15 and 16] alongside teammates Christian Oatley and Shomari Steede, Smith was part of a final two man breakaway which made it to the finish line.
Though out-sprinted by his fellow escapee from Trinidad for the regional title, Smith showed strong tactical savvy to get into the break and work with the other rider to stay away from the chasers and be prepared for the sprint. Placings for Steede and Oatley were not yet available due to a protest that some riders in the field deviated from the course.
In the highly competitive Junior category [17 and 18], Daniel Oatley and Justin Ferreira finished 13th and 20th in a race that was split wide apart, according to team manager Greg Hopkins.
Though starting three hours behind the published time to begin racing, Gabriella Arnold concluded Team Bermuda’s competition in her female road race in 7th place. The girls’ course wound through the streets of the capital city and at times the pack just crawled along, partially for tactics and partially due to the afternoon heat.
The main pack slowly whittled down to nine riders with less than ten kilometres to go with all of the main contenders, including Arnold and several sprinters from Trinidad. In the final sprint, Trinidad and Tobago took the top tow spots followed by Aruba, Curacao and then Arnold, all within 2 seconds of each other.
The team will head home to Bermuda tomorrow, arriving late in the evening from Miami with the exception of Arnold who heads back to Marian University and her collegiate cycling team for mountain bike collegiate nationals.
Update Oct 6, 10.03am: Shadow Sports Minister Michael Weeks said, “The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party today extends congratulations to Mr. Tyler Smith for his silver medal winning performance at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships.
“We commend Mr. Smith for his performance and extend our best wishes to the entire Bermudian Cycling Team for representing Bermuda with honour in Suriname.”
U de man bie”:-) Congratulation Tyler!
Well done Tyler ! Good job by all the Bermudian cyclist !
Congratulation Tyler Smith you have made your family, your school and you country very proud. Great job!
Well done to Christian and Daniel Oatly and Gabriella Arnold as well.
Like mother, like son. An awesome family.