The lone Guyanese in the nine-man West Indies team who took on a Rest of the World side in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, Hamilton captured a total of 17 medals, including one gold, four silvers and eight bronze as the regional team completely dominated the championships.

Cuba’s Joel Marino emerged as the top rider, competing against several top cyclists from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland and the USA.

Apart from Marino and Hamilton, the other members of the West Indies team comprised Elisha Green and Emile Abraham of Trinidad and Tobago, Barry Ford, Sean Kelly and Carlitos Jones of Barbados, Horace McFarlane of Jamaica and Michael Pedroso and Julio Herrera of Cuba. The coach was Cuban Hector Mendoza.

Hamilton captured gold in the Unknown Distance race, competing at Skinner Park in Trinidad and Tobago, winning from Jones (Barbados) and Pedroso (Cuba).

The Guyanese then had to settle for his first silver in the International Kerin which was won by Herrera, regarded as the best cycling sprinter in the Western Hemisphere while Pedroso, a Pan-American Match Sprint gold medallist, placed third.

Over to Barbados, Hamilton carted off his second silver medal in the two-lap road race, which was won by Marino. Pavel Buran of the Czech Republic took the third spot.

Another silver came in the Devil Takes The Hindmost, also won by Marino with Marcos Kammermon occupying the third position.

Hamilton’s other silver was earned in the 10 laps event in Trinidad and Tobago where Pedroso won from his countryman Marino.

There were bronze medals for Hamilton in the 15 laps road race at the Queen’s Park Savannah, the 35 laps, two laps and four laps at Skinner Park and the one lap and six laps Criterium in Barbados.

Back to Trinidad and Tobago, at the Arima Velodrome, Hamilton won bronze in the Win and Out and the six laps.

Hamilton, who is gearing to participate in the 21st annual Independence three-stage cycle road race, is being coached by long-standing cycling coach James Fowler and has also received assistance from former national cyclist Aubrey Bryce who resides in Canada and was home recently. He is also thankful for assistance from Wayne Henry.