Gabriella Arnold will head up an eight-member team to represent Bermuda at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in Suriname in October.

The Bermuda Bicycle Association confirmed that Arnold, a four-times medal-winner in the regional competition, will captain the team, who also include Erica Hawley and Tristan Narraway in the 15-18 female category.

The male members are split into two age groups, 15-16 and 17-18, and include Justin Ferreira and Daniel Oatley in the older group and Shomari Steede, Christian Oatley and Tyler Smith in the younger age category. Smith and Hawley are representing Bermuda as triathletes at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

The cycling championships will be held on October 4 and 5 in Paramaribo and hosted by Suriname Wielren Unie, the national federation for cycling in Suriname.

Arnold, who is the Bermuda junior national champion in all four cycling disciplines, has just started her freshman year at Marian University, where she is on the cycling team.

Elliot Hubbard, the BBA selector and board member, believes the team will do well in Suriname. “We are confident that that these young cyclists will represent the BBA to the best of their ability and will also serve as worthy young ambassadors of Bermuda,” he said.

“Over the years Bermuda has established itself as a real force within the Caribbean region and we look to these youngsters to do their best to help to solidify Bermuda’s position as a major player in Caribbean cycling.

“The selection committee appreciates the commitment to the sport of cycling that these young athletes have demonstrated, together with the dedication to preparation they have each displayed in the build-up to this important event on our international calendar.”