Late National Champion ‘Red Cap’ Mourned by Cycling Community

Former national cyclist Samuel Red Cap Thomas has passed away at age 64, following an eight-year battle with cancer. He leaves behind four children. Thomas is reported to have died last weekend in the United States, where he had lived for some time. Thomas got his first bicycle as a toddler, and those who knew him best say that he was as often on two wheels as he was on his two feet. By his early teens, he was an avid racer and dominated the Castries city circuit for the better part of 15 years. A showman, whose signature headwear gave him his nickname, Thomas amassed a large following. Fans admired his zeal, endurance, stamina, and unwavering love for racing. He won several races and left a lasting impact on the bicycle racing community. Among his laurels was the 1977 Junior Ovaltine Championship title. In 1989, he represented Saint Lucia on the tracks in Barbados, along with Jean Louis, Emile Mitchel, Romuald Silo Lake, Christopher Chofus Augustin, Frank Devil Alcide, and Oliver Rasta Charles. In addition to his athletic achievements, Thomas was also a dedicated teacher at TD Gordon Methodist School, where he was a favorite among his students. After...