Narraway Battles Through Opening Stages of Tour of the Gila
IslandStats.com
Nicholas Narraway has begun his campaign at the 38th edition of the Tour of the Gila, taking on one of North America’s most demanding stage races in the high desert of Southwest New Mexico.
The UCI‑sanctioned event features five stages for both the men’s and women’s fields: an Individual Time Trial, two gruelling road races, the fast‑paced Downtown Criterium, and a decisive final road stage. Riding for Competitive Edge Racing, Narraway has steadily worked his way through the opening three stages, showing resilience in a field stacked with elite climbing and time‑trial talent.
The race opened with a challenging 26km time trial in Tyrone, where riders faced long, exposed stretches and steady elevation. Narraway completed the course in 35:45, placing 37th, finishing 3 minutes 15 seconds behind stage winner Walter Vargas.
It was a measured start for the Bermudian, who settled into the rhythm of the race against some of the strongest time trial specialists in the field.
Stage Two delivered the Tour of the Gila’s signature test: the brutal Mogollon climb. Narraway crossed the line in 3:33:20, finishing 57th after a punishing ascent that has shaped many GC battles over the years.
His combined time after two stages stood at 4:09:06, placing him 52nd overall heading into the next day’s racing.
The third stage saw riders tackle a rolling 122.6km loop beginning and ending in Fort Bayard. Narraway completed the stage in 2:53:46, finishing 74th on the day.
Despite the tough terrain and rising fatigue across the peloton, Narraway made gains in the general classification, climbing to 49th overall with a cumulative time of 7:02:52.
With two stages still to come — including the high‑speed Downtown Silver City Criterium and the decisive final road race — Narraway remains well‑positioned to continue his upward trajectory. The Tour of the Gila is renowned for reshuffling the standings late in the week, and the Bermudian rider has shown the consistency needed to keep moving forward as the race intensifies.
Monday, May 04, 2026
White Secures Podium Finish in High-Octane Herne Hill Open
IslandStats.com
Cycling standout Conor White showcased his versatility on the track this weekend, securing a hard-fought second-place finish overall at the Dulwich Paragon Track Open.
Competing at the historic Herne Hill Velodrome, White, representing Jakroo Handsling, navigated a demanding programme designed to test both tactical awareness and raw sprint power. The event featured some of the UK’s most technical track formats, headlined by the Jonathan Gales Memorial 25km Scratch and the notoriously fast-paced "Danish Pursuit."
White remained a constant threat at the front of the field throughout the meeting, accumulating points with consistent top-three finishes across the multi-event schedule. His ability to read the wind and the high-paced surges of the London circuit saw him finish the day with 610 points.
Despite a spirited effort to clinch the top spot, White was narrowly eclipsed by Len Delicaet, who delivered a clinical series of performances to take the overall victory with 640 points. Arthur Tye rounded out the podium in third, trailing the leaders with a total of 530 points.
For White, who is better known for his prowess in international time trials and road racing, the podium finish at Herne Hill underlines his adaptability in a specialist environment. The high-intensity nature of track racing serves as vital preparation as the Bermudian continues his European campaign, with his sights set on further podium success in the regional road circuit later this month.
Sunday, May 03, 2026
Boys Edges Langley in Lighthouse Hill Thriller
IslandStats.com
The punishing ascent of Lighthouse Road provided a dramatic stage for the latest round of the Bermuda road racing season, as Matt Boys delivered a tactical masterclass to secure victory in a grueling contest of endurance and climbing prowess.
Organized by Bermuda Junior Cycling, the event saw a field of 25 riders navigate a demanding circuit that utilized the steep gradients of Southampton to separate the contenders from the pretenders. The day also carried significant off-bike weight, marking the official introduction of STARR as the new title sponsor for the association’s youth development programme.
In the combined A and B category race, the action ignited from the gun. Matt Boys launched a daring solo attack on the opening lap, forcing the peloton to react immediately. A high-caliber chase group, spearheaded by VT Construction duo Jackson Langley and Dominique Mayho, spent the early stages of the race desperately trying to close the gap.
While Langley successfully bridged the divide on lap two, the effort took its toll on the chase, with Mayho eventually falling out of contention. The battle then evolved into a game of tactical chess between Boys and Langley, particularly with the added incentive of the King of the Mountain (KOM) competition.
The race—and the KOM title—was decided on the final climb of Lighthouse Road. With double points on offer, Boys surged ahead in the closing meters to cross the line in 1:31:53, just two seconds ahead of a resilient Langley. Che’quan Richardson rounded out the podium, timing his final effort perfectly to claim third in 1:38:19.
In the C and Women’s division, the narrative was one of solo dominance. Paulo Medeiros broke clear early and never looked back, riding the entire three-lap distance alone to finish in 1:27:32. The battle for the minor places was far tighter, with Neil MacGuinness (1:29:32) narrowly out-sprinting Gordon Smith (1:29:35) for second. Nicole Mitchell produced a standout performance to finish as the leading female rider, securing fifth place overall in 1:29:55.
Beyond the results, the event highlighted the growing infrastructure of the sport on the island. Peter Dunne, President of the Bermuda Bicycle Association, hailed the new partnership with STARR as a landmark moment for youth development.
"We are fortunate to have such a prestigious company supporting these activities," Dunne said, noting that the new youth jerseys will prominently feature the STARR logo alongside long-term supporters Pembroke Paint. "This support enables athletes like Che’quan Richardson to lead our youth programmes and contribute to international competition, helping us grow the next generation of performance cyclists."
The unforgiving roads of the Belgian spring continue to test the resolve of Bermuda’s Kaden Hopkins, as the Atom 6 Bikes - Cycleur de Luxe rider suffered another frustrating afternoon at the 60th Tintrio - Omloop van het Waasland.
Hopkins lined up alongside his continental teammates for the prestigious one-day classic, a grueling 175km trek from Lokeren to Kemzeke. Known for its punishing crosswinds and tactical aggression, the race was a primary target for the Bermudian as he looked to reset his season following a difficult April.
Having recorded back-to-back "Did Not Finishes" last month, Hopkins had hoped the turn of the calendar to May would signal a change in fortune. However, the technical demands of the Flemish circuit proved relentless once again.
In a race defined by high attrition, Hopkins was unfortunately among the 39 riders who failed to reach the finish line in Kemzeke.
It is a rare dip in form for a rider who has become a mainstay in the European peloton. While the result adds to a mounting tally of DNFs, the sheer intensity of the Belgian circuit is widely regarded as the ultimate proving ground for professional cyclists.
With the European summer season now in full swing, Hopkins will be desperate to find the "clinical" rhythm that has previously seen him contest the podium in the continental ranks. The focus now shifts to his upcoming recovery block as he prepares for a demanding June schedule.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Traffic Advisory Junior Cycling Road Race Set for Sunday
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s next generation of cycling talent will take to the roads this weekend, as the Bermuda Bicycle Association (BBA) hosts the Junior Cycling Road Race on Sunday, May 3rd.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has issued a traffic advisory for motorists as the event, scheduled to run between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, will impact several key arteries in the western end of the island.
The race is set to start and finish on South Road, specifically outside of the Gulf Stream compound. From there, the young peloton will head east before turning left onto St. Paul's Lane. The route then leads the riders onto Middle Road, proceeding west as far as Lighthouse Road. A final left turn onto Lighthouse Road will bring the participants back toward South Road for the sprint to the finish line.
While authorities have confirmed there will be no full road closures for the event, significant traffic control measures will be in place. Race Marshals will be stationed along the route to direct traffic, and the Bermuda Police Service has been authorised to close off specific portions of streets or manage parking at the Commissioner’s discretion.
Motorists are being urged to exercise extreme caution to avoid collisions with the young athletes and are asked to strictly follow the instructions provided by marshals.
The Ministry has expressed its apologies for any potential inconvenience and is encouraging the full cooperation of the motoring public to ensure a safe and successful morning of competition. For further information regarding the race or the traffic plan, members of the public can contact race representative Peter Dunne at 704-8614.
