Neaves 13th in Pan Am time trial
2026-03-20 - 01:13
Cyclist Jadian Neaves opened his account at the Road Continental Pan American Cycling Championships in Monteria, Cordoba, Colombia, with a 13th-place finish in the Under-23 Division of the 36-kilometre Individual Time Trial Thursday. Neaves clocked a time of 49 minutes and 18 seconds, finishing outside of the medal standings. Despite limited specific preparation for the event, Neaves, who recently shattered the national record in the individual pursuit at the Pan Am Track Cycling Championships in Santiago, Chile, in February, expressed confidence that he had the ability to compete among the top riders. The Mexican pair of Sebastian Ruiz Teran and Juan Jose Prieto De Luna dominated the field, securing gold and silver with times of 42.02 and 42.46, respectively. Hometown favourite Jeronimo Calderon Palacio secured the bronze in 43.10. The trio of Nehuen Lautaro Erripa Picazo of Argentina (43.38), Kevin Navas Paredes of Ecuador (43.44), and Juan Quintero Osorno of Colombia (43.55) secured positions fourth, fifth and sixth places, respectively. Neaves, one of this country’s rising cycling talents, who was trusted among three other riders to put T&T on the map for the first time in the team pursuit at the Pan Am Championships, used the event to make a name for himself. In addition to his new national record ride, he later crossed the finish line in 10th position in the time trial of the same event. Out of a field of 17 riders, only one failed to finish. Neaves finished comfortably ahead of the final three competitors: Denver Alphonse of St Lucia (51.48), followed by Nicaragua’s Giovanni Jose Fonseca Tinoco (52.03) and Jose Kener Ramos Morales (52.28). Neaves will now shift his focus to the Road Race, which will take place tomorrow. Speaking on Wednesday, Neaves noted that he feels better suited for the upcoming challenge, saying, “I am confident ahead of the road race.” Only last year, Neaves captured the main race at the inaugural Raiders Cycling Criterium Classic held around Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair, Port-of-Spain. He clinched the curtain-closing “40 minutes plus” event ahead of Colombian Mateo Garcia. —WALTER ALIBEY