seven days by resigning from his post.

Hopkins, who'd held the voluntary position for three years, also quit as president and public relations officer of the Bermuda Bicycle Association, saying that the pressure had become too much.

It was a subdued Hopkins who announced his decision to The Royal Gazette yesterday, only two days after clinching a remarkable fifth win in the Bank of Bermuda Triathlon at the age of 45.

Hopkins, who shrugged off the twin challenge of 16-year-old Jonathan Herring and the experienced Neil de St Croix to triumph, said combining the three roles had left him "washed out''.

He denied that there was any single incident which had led him to take the decision, which he disclosed to the Association's executive a week ago, claiming that, if anything, he was guilty of trying to do too many things and trying to keep everybody happy.

"When you get to the point that your health is suffering, it's time to step back,'' said the fitness fanatic, part owner of the Winner's Edge bike shop, who won Sunday's triathlon exactly ten years after setting a record that still stands in the event.

"Anyone who knows me knows I'm not the type of person who quits,'' he added.

"It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I got to the point where I felt like I was at the bottom of a bowl with everything pouring in on top of me.

"The last week has been a bit of a roller coaster for me and I'm the kind of person who feels that if he can't do justice to a job it's time to move on.'' He also dismissed suggestions that any outside criticisms had forced him to take the action, saying: "It's not criticism so much as pressure. You find that when you are always having to make decisions there will often be a downside to them as perceived by someone else.

"Friendships can become strained and you have to see what your priorities are -- and they are family, work and health.

The father-of-two, whose wife is expecting their third child, added: "As much as anything else the BBA has been a growing Association in recent years and this year we've had 54 events plus clinics and the junior camp. I've been very fortunate to have a very understanding wife and a business partner in Paul Madeiros who has carried me over the last two years because the roles are so time consuming.

"The CD&P Grand Prix was an exceptional event and, while everyone was very impressed with the weekend, what the spectators don't see is the 12 or 18 months planning that goes into that and how those things don't always run smoothly.'' Hopkins admitted the hardest thing for him would be walking away from the coaching side of things, but he was due to meet with the executive to decide whether he would retain some involvement.

He also said he still had competitive goals he wished to attain, although that did not involve becoming part of the national team he had been training. "I still think I would be capable of riding with the national team but I really do believe in giving experience to our younger riders. The idea in my mind was always that we were building for the future and that should not involve somebody who is 45-years-old.

"What I'm most pleased about during my time is that we have brought recognition and legitimacy to the sport and the biggest factor in that in my opinion is Elliott Hubbard. Bermuda owes him so much.

"And riders in the national team have obtained a sense of responsibility to Bermuda. They are representing their country, rather than competing as individuals, and it's an honour to do so.'' Vice president Martin Bolton will take over as president until November's AGM.