Trepte edges Campbell for National Criterium crown

Liam Trepte, who once held the crown for endurance riding in Trinidad and Tobago, confirmed his return to the top by beating his close rival, Akil Campbell, for the national title at the T&T Cycling Federation’s National Criterium Championship at Tamana In-Teck Park on Sunday (September 13).

At the same Elite/U-23 men’s event in 2025, the 24-year-old Trepte of Team BSR/USA topped the field in the 25-lap event with a time of one hour, eight minutes, and 41.18 seconds, getting the better of main rival Tariq Woods of Evolution Cycling Academy and Ainsley Gay of Titans Cycle & Multisport into the second and third spots, respectively.

And over the weekend, Trepte was at his very best again to hold off Campbell in an event that lasted 15 laps of the circuit, an equivalent of 60 kilometres. Dmitri James stormed home to be among the medals in third, as he just held off sprinter Syndel Samaroo, who contested the under-23 age bracket.

Samaroo was not left out of the medals, though; his fourth-place finish proved sufficient to earn him the recognition as the top U-23 champion, riding for Team Colesafety Cycling. Unattached riders Josiah Williams and Brandon Frederick joined Samaroo on the podium in positions second and third, with the Madonna Wheelers rider John Gyan-Sootim ending just outside of the medals in fourth.

Alexi Ramirez continued her dominance in the elite women’s division. Her triumph over Phoebe Sandy confirmed her as national champion, while the pair of Sandy, the Madonna Wheelers rider, and Adelle Gyan-Sootim of the same club completed the top three medalists in the 32-kilometre event (8 laps).

Meanwhile, junior riders Sophia Samaroo and Jedon Williams were also celebrated at the weekend for performances that earned them the recognition they deserved. Each faced challenges that proved insufficient for them to overcome.

Samaroo, a representative for the Raiders Cycle and Multi Sport Club, faced just her namesake, Cassidy Samaroo, in the 8-lap circuit and prevailed comfortably. Williams faced a field of four in his title race but pedaled to victory ahead of second, third, and fourth Trishton Jaichan (PSL Cycling), Jerill Williams (Unattached), and Elijah James (Unattached) in the 10-lap 40-kilometre event.