Browne secures historic Keirin 5th in Cali
Gary AcostaSaturday, February 18 2017
Kwesi Browne wrote his name into the history books after finishing in the highest position by a T&T cyclist in the Keirin at a UCI World Cup. Browne's landmark 5th place, also saw him becoming T&T's first cyclist to qualify for the 1-6 Final of a Men’s Keirin at a UCI World Cup.
Browne started off the day with a second place finish in his 1st Round Heat, finishing just behind Andrii Vynokurov (UKR) in a close sprint. The Arima native who tasted the second round of the Keirin three years ago in Guadalajara, Mexico, did not let history repeat itself. At the 2014 World Cup, Browne finished 5th in the Second Round, seeing him only being able to contest the 7-12 Final with only the top three advanced to the 1-6 Final.
Fast forward three years and youngster finished the first of the two semi-finals in second position, awarding him with a place in the prestigious final.
At the mecca for track cycling in South America, Santiago de Cali in Colombia, Browne lined up against former World Keirin Champions Francois Pervis (FRA) and Shane Perkins (AUS), former World Cup Keirin Champion - Fabian Puerta (COL), Tomas Babek (CZE) and Tomoyuki Kawabata (JPN). The pocket rocket was able to seal fifth (5th) place overall with the hometown favourite, Fabian Puerta taking first ahead of Pervis and Babek.
The 5th place finish will also see Kwesi climb up the World Rankings from the 13th position he held after the last update one week ago. Kwesi will line up in the Men’s Sprint as the 21st of 32 cyclists in the Flying 200m from approximately 11:00am (T&T Time) on Sunday.
