Liam Flannery and Nicholas Narraway got off to strong starts at the inaugural Caribbean Games after sealing top-five finishes in the Men’s Individual Time-Trial in Guadeloupe.

Battling adverse weather conditions, Flannery finished in fourth place in a time of 28min 18.58sec, with his compatriot Narraway a further place behind in fifth, in 28:25.57.

Yannis Andre Lubin claimed gold in 27:2.22, ahead of Raphail Lauton (27:51.18) and Christopher Morales Fontán (27:57.54).

The result could have been even better for Flannery had he not suffered a crash in the closing stages.

Having started in dry conditions and settled into a fast pace, an incoming storm brought strong winds and lashing rain across the course.

With the road surface worsening considerably, Flannery — who was within the final kilometre — lost control heading into a corner and slid out. While he was able to get back on his bike and finish the race, the late setback dashed any hopes of a podium place.

Narraway was also hampered by the conditions having started towards the end of the 28-rider field. While the heaviest rain and wind had passed through, the roads were covered in debris, with puddles heading into all the corners.

Despite this, he turned in an impressive ride which saw him finish just one place adrift of Flannery.

Both riders will now be aiming to build on their encouraging start to the Games when they challenge for medals, along with compatriot Alexander Miller, in the 120 kilometre road race tomorrow.