Chequan Richardson and Dominique Mayho will be flying the flag for Bermuda at the Elite Caribbean Cycling Championships in Barbados this weekend.

Hosted by the Barbados Cycling Union, the event is the pinnacle of regional cycling competition with the best cyclists from 25 countries looking for titles in the individual time-trial and road-race events.

Bermuda’s team is much smaller compared to previous years and, for the first time in several years, does not include any female representatives.

Peter Dunne, the Bermuda Bicycle Association president, said that injuries and busy schedules had prevented previous medal winners Zoenique Williams, Nicole Mitchell and Gabriella Arnold from competing.

Mayho will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Richmond, Virginia, last month at the UCI World Championships. After getting caught behind a crash at the base of the steepest climb of the course, Mayho was distanced by the peloton and eventually withdrawn from the race.

“This year I have raced internationally in some of the most challenging events and I hope to take all that I learned from those into the road race in Barbados”, Mayho said.

Richardson, who will be competing at his second championships, said he will be focused on working the early parts of the road race to protect Mayho.

“I’ve worked very hard this year and have a training programme developed specifically for me by my coach,” Richardson said.

“Following this has enabled me to qualify and represent Bermuda again.”

Mayho and Richardson started cycling while at Berkeley Institute as part of the cycling club and quickly progressed to racing in local events.

“Clearly these two athletes have taken advantage of the support of the Bermuda cycling community and the Bermuda Bicycle Association’s development activities to the highest level,” Dunne said.

“It is immensely satisfying to have seen them transform from young high school students into competitive athletes.”

The team left for Barbados yesterday ahead of the competition which gets under way tomorrow with the time-trial. Only Mayho will be riding the time-trial but both riders are entered in the 90-mile road race on Sunday. Travelling with the team are Dunne and Paulo Medeiros who will serve as mechanic.