Gene Samuel - Inducted 2011

Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Gene Samuel began competing at the Velodrome in 1989. Impressed with the track, Gene returned to T-town every summer for the next eight years until his retirement in 1997. Gene’s warrior-like racing style and flying bond ponytail earned him the moniker, “Geronimo.” His spectacularly smooth and fast come-from-behind rushes made “Geronimo” one of the Velodrome’s most popular riders of his decade. His T-Town victories include winning the Madison Cup in 1991 and 1992, both times with regular partner Shaun Wallace, and the Keirin Cup in 1992. Internationally, Gene finished third in the 1991 World Kilometer Championship, the best placing of any Trinidad rider in 33 years. He was the first rider to race the kilometer event using the full aero position in a world championship, a style copied by all serious contenders thereafter. Samuel was an eight-time Pan American Games medalist, a member of four Olympic Teams and has 478 career wins. He was named Sportsman of the year three times in his home country in 1986, 1987 and 1991. Gene now lives in Trinidad with his wife Rhonda-Lou and their two sons, Gino and Gevan. He owns and manages Geronimo’s Cycle and coaches full-time.