Bermuda’s cyclists might not have picked up any medals yesterday, but they collected plenty of new supporters in Jersey.

Stories of lost bikes, delayed flights and 30 hour journeys filtered into the crowd before the Island’s team even took to the course, and they were cheered along the length of the route as they battled tired limbs and minds in the time trial event.

The squad did not arrive at their hotel until 9pm on Saturday night, and the stresses of the journey ultimately told on their performance on a course that Charles Dunstan, the assistant manager, said a “challenging mix of very technical turns, descents, climbs and long, flat, straights.”

“Suffice to say, the travel took its toll, with most riders off their personal best pace,” Dunstan said. “The team gritted their teeth and tried to push screaming legs to normal expectations, [it was] ultimately futile, but earned a huge approval from spectators.

“Sarah Bonnett’s [a member of the team] parents have travelled to Jersey for the event, and are gathering an army of Bermuda supporters among the crowds. Seems a little sympathy goes a long way, hopefully we can make them proud later in the week.”

Given the build-up, the numbers were less than surprising, and Dominique Mayho’s time of 52mins 10.035sec was more than four minutes slower than that of eventual winner, Torkil Veyhe from the Faroe Islands, who took gold in 47:56.925.

Isle of Man duo Edward Perry and Nathan Draper finished second and third in 48:25.192 and 48:42.636 respectively. With fellow countryman Tom Black also in the top five, Isle of Man easily took gold in the team competition, ahead of Jersey, who won silver and Faroe Islands, who claimed the bronze medal.

Despite their tired limbs Bermuda finished fourth in the team event, with Darren Glasford finishing 37th in the individual race in 57:35.319 and Chequan Richardson 39th in 57:55.788.

In the women’s time trial, Karen Bordage was ninth in 1:01:52.853, with Zoenique Williams twelfth in 1:02:37.851 and Gabriela Arnold two places further back in 1:06:43.623.