Samuels dominates champs

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games scratch gold medallist Oneil Samuels stayed true to form on the weekend when he won four of the five events at the Jamaica Cycling Association (JCA) National Cham-pionships at the National Stadium velodrome.

Samuels won the scratch, kilometre time trial, individual pursuit and match sprints.

The other event, a points race, was won by Alden Clunis.

Vaughn Phang, the JCA president, said the championships will help to select Jamaica's team for next year's championships - the Pan American Games and Pan American Cycling Championships.

However, before Samuels gets to the Pan-Am Games he will have the Track Cycling World Cup in Los Angeles, California, from January 19-21.

The CAC champion says he will continue his training throughout the Christmas holiday to ensure he will be competitive.

"I really want to do well at the World Cup," said Samuels while mentioning compatriot Ricardo Lynch who competed in the Russian leg of the World Cup between December 15-17.

Lynch performed creditably, finishing eighth in the kierin and 13th in the sprint. Lynch and Iona Wynter will also compete in Los Angeles.

Samuels says, however, that his preparation is hampered at times by the lack of a proper bicycle.

"Right now I need some new tires so anyone who can come on board and help that would be great," said Samuels.

He is set to compete in two events at the World Cup, scratch and points race.

National Championships results:

Scratch: 1 Oneil Samuels, 2 Oneil Sinclair, Lainel Stewart.

Kilometre TT: 1 Oneil Samuels, 2 Marloe Rodman, 3 Linford Blackwood.

Individual Pursuit: 1 Oneil Samuels, 2 Alden Clunis, 3 Marloe Rodman.

Match Sprints: 1 Oneil Samuels, 2 Oneil Sinclair, 3 Marvin Anderson.

Points Race: 1 Alden Clunis, 2 Linford Blackwood, 3 Lainel Stewart.