Bermuda's new cycling coach, Frenchman Philippe Mauduit, is convinced the Island team can progress with some more technical knowledge.

The former French team member has been brought into help the road racers and says there is plenty of good points to work with from what he has seen so far.

He said athletes, such as Lynn Patchett and Melanie Claude, had the fitness and drive, but needed their technique working on.

"I am sure they can make a lot of progress but they need international competition, they need a lot of exposure in events, like the Island Games," he said.

"When they ride in Bermuda they ride with themselves and they know the tactics, but in international events they don't have the knowledge they need."

Mauduit's view was borne out in the recent Island Games in Guernsey, when, particularly during the women's road race, his instructions via radio mikes to Claude, Patchett and Julia Hawley helped them win the team medal and Patchett gold and Claude silver.

And the riders themselves admitted that his prompts and team talks were already making a difference.

Mauduit, who rode 105 times for France and previously coached the Chinese women's team and the Japanese men's team, added: "They are young in cycling but we can make a lot of progress in tactics and technique.

"I think they will make a good team for the future."