Bermuda have suffered a setback on the eve of the 2014 Junior Caribbean Championships that get under way tomorrow in Suriname with the boys’ and girls’ time-trial.

Tristan Narraway, one of only two female members on the seven-member team, had been poised to make her debut at the annual regional championships this year. However, she was forced to withdraw after mononucleosis was diagnosed, which prevented her from travelling to the Caribbean with her team-mates.

Peter Dunne, the Bermuda Bicycle Association president, said: “This is obviously a huge impact for Tristan because she has spent 12 months developing her cycling fitness to be suitable for this competition.

“We chose her because we thought she was capable of being at this level of competition. And I know she has spent as much time as anybody else in preparation. It’s a huge time commitment and, unfortunately, illness won.”

Narraway’s omission leaves Gabriella Arnold, who punched above her weight at last week’s United States Collegiate Track National Championships in Indianapolis competing as a freshman for Marian University, to carry Bermuda’s hopes alone in the girls’ time-trial tomorrow and Sunday’s road race.

Dunne reckons that Narraway’s absence will not be a significant factor in the girls’ road race.

“In terms of how Tristan’s unavailability changes our tactics in the road race, I don’t think it will because Gabby is ahead of her,” he said. “Gabby will be competing at the front end of the race whereas, Tristan is new to this level of competition.”

This year marks Arnold’s last year of eligibility at these championships, where she has claimed one gold medal and three bronze medals in three previous appearances.

Bermuda’s Junior Caribbean Cycling Championship squad, which departed for Suriname yesterday, now consists of Justin Ferreira, Daniel Oatley, Shomari Steede, Tyler Smith, Christian Oatley and Arnold. Accompanying the team are manager Greg Hopkins and mechanic Dave Collins.