A couple of Bermuda’s cyclists will be returning from the Caribbean Championships with heavier luggage than when they departed after the team picked up three medals.

Kaden Hopkins won the men’s elite and under-23 individual time-trial titles in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Saturday, with Caitlin Conyers landing a silver medal in the women’s elite time-trial.

Bermuda’s medal haul could have been even bigger with Conor White suffering a flat tyre during the time-trial when on course to finish second behind Hopkins and Gabriella Arnold crashing when in contention for a medal in the road-race on Sunday

Shakee Glasford, Bermuda team manager, was thrilled with the performance of his young team but was left bemoaning what could have been with more luck.

“Ultimately, I’m really pleased but we did have some examples that was a little upsetting for the guys but that is part of the sport,” Glasford said.

“We are pleased because we came away with some medals but there were opportunities for others so I guess that’s where we are a little bit upset.”

Hopkins, in particular has had the best year of his young career after finishing eleventh in the time-trial and fourteenth in the road race at the recent Commonwealth Games.

He followed that by finishing 13th at the under-23 world championships in Australia and Glasford is thrilled that he was able to perform again under pressure

“He’s had a really good year and is a very popular rider,” Glasford said.

“Everybody knows how strong he is, which makes things difficult for him and Bermuda because he becomes a marked man. His wins were good but we must remember that Conor White was on track for a silver medal when he got a flat tyre and that was disappointing as he could have picked up a Central American Games spot for finishing in the first two.

The first day of the two-day event was Bermuda’s best with Conyers winning a silver medal in the time-trial a few weeks after she considered quitting the sport when she was denied the chance to compete at the Commonwealth Games after contracting Covid-19.

“Caitlin won a silver medal so we were really pleased with the first-day efforts and we had a very strong team racing on the second day but it was a very hard race. It was long and because it’s flat it changes the dynamic of the race and our riders stand out.

“With Kaden and Conor performing the way they are, they are marked in the peloton. Our team rode really well today, they weren’t able to get any medals but they finished the race.

Bermuda’s team were inexperienced with Liam Flannery and Alexander Miller getting their first chance at this level.

“We had a chat before and after the race and they have to understand that when they race at this level the racing dynamic is a bit different,” Glasford said.

“You can’t chase every attack that goes up the road and you must make sure you are fuelling properly, particularly with hydration, and food because it’s really hot.

“It was a learning experience for young Xander and Liam Flannery. Bermuda has done quite well over the years in regards to medals. There are 22 countries and we are leaving with four medals so we are extremely pleased. We have two Central American Games spots for the women and one for the men. That’s a major result.

While the majority of the focus is on the performances on the road, Glasford was keen to make sure praise was given to the support staff and the assistance the team provided each other.

Outside of the team, there is a lot of stuff that goes on beside the scenes so myself and Michael Thomas were helping out. But when some members of the team are racing, the others are helping with the water so it’s a little machine and we are really pleased with how it worked out.“