Cyclists Struggle in Lincoln as White Battles Attrition
IslandStats.com
Ollie Wood claimed a historic victory in the 70th edition of the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, mastering the brutal Michaelgate climb to win a race defined by high-speed crashes and relentless attrition.
With defending champion James McKay absent, the 145-rider field in Lincoln was wide open, packed with National Road Series heavyweights and UCI-level experience. The atmosphere was electric as the peloton rolled out in front of massive crowds, but the beauty of the setting soon gave way to the harsh reality of one of Britain’s most punishing one-day classics.
The early tactical moves saw Cameron McLaren, Matthew Webber, Ethan Squires, and Joseph Turnbull bridge a 40-second gap by the second lap. However, the race was soon thrown into chaos.
A significant crash on lap two briefly blocked the road, leaving a Cycling Sheffield rider down and forcing officials to consider a neutralisation. Among those caught in the carnage was Bermudian specialist Conor White, representing JAKROO Handsling Racing.
While the crash forced several riders out immediately—including early breakaway member Ethan Squires—White managed to remount and rejoin the front group. However, the physical toll of the incident, combined with the repeated ascents of the infamous Michaelgate cobbles, began to narrow the field sharply.
"It was a tough day out on the bike," White reflected on social media. "I was in the front group until three laps to go, then the lights went out. A big old crash on lap two took some of the cyclists out of the race—I hope everyone involved is alright."
By the final hour, the 145 starters had been whittled down to a fraction of their original number. A late four-rider move dictated the closing stages, but as is tradition in Lincoln, the race was decided on the final steep, cobbled ramp of Michaelgate.
Ollie Wood, representing the Rapha Cycling Club, showed superior timing and explosive power, attacking from the reduced leading group to take the chequered flag. Such was the severity of the pace that only 44 riders were officially classified at the finish.
White, who had fought valiantly to stay in contention following his earlier crash, was ultimately ruled a Did Not Finish (DNF) after falling back in the closing circuits.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Mayho Returns to Winning Way in Criterium
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The VT Construction Criterium delivered fast racing, with strong fields across the A, B, C and Youth categories producing close finishes throughout the day.
In the C Category race, Peter Tadman of BRCC sprinted to victory after 27 laps in a time of 51:50, narrowly edging Anthony Smith of Winners Edge, with Frank Ming taking third just two seconds back.
The B Category produced another tightly contested race, with Jonah MacGuinness of BRCC securing the win in 51:41. Panzy Olander of VT Construction crossed at the same time for second place, while Stephen Ryan completed the podium.
In the A Category, Dominique Mayho of VT Construction claimed victory clocking 0:51:41 ahead of Dylan Eiselt from Winners Edge who was clocked across the line in 0:52:53 after a fast-paced 26-lap contest.
The Youth races also showcased Bermuda’s next generation of cyclists. Iris Duda won the Youth 13–14 division, while Lukas Eiselt captured the Youth 12 & Under title ahead of Feargal Murphy.
Brutal Greek Terrain Ends Hopkins’ Tour of Hellas Ambitions
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Bermudian cyclist Kaden Hopkins faced another afternoon of disappointment on Friday as his ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas campaign came to a sudden halt during a punishing third stage through the Greek heartlands.
Stage Three was always earmarked as the queen stage of this year’s tour—a marathon 207.3km route from Volos to Lamia. While the distance alone was enough to test the peloton, it was the staggering 4,200 metres of elevation gain that proved decisive.
The route featured relentless climbs including the categorised ascents of Agios Georgios and Chania, both exceeding 10 kilometres in length with gradients touching nearly 8%. Coupled with treacherous wet conditions on the descent into Lamia, the stage transformed into a race of attrition.
Hopkins, representing the Atom 6 Bikes – Cycleur de Luxe – Auto Stroo Continental Team, had started the day in high spirits. Following an aggressive opening two days where he secured 10th and 26th place finishes, he sat well within the competitive fold of the general classification.
However, as the peloton fractured on the final major climb toward Anavra, officials pulled cyclists off the course after they deemed that they had fallen off the pace. The 26-year-old was one of the cyclists and he was eventually ruled a Did Not Finish (DNF), marking his fourth consecutive event where he has failed to reach the final timing mat.
While the DNF is a significant blow to Hopkins' immediate momentum, his aggressive breakaway on Stage One—where he led the field for nearly 50km—remains a highlight of his spring campaign in Europe.
The tour continues without its premier Bermudian representative, as Jelle Johannink of the Unibet Rose Rockets takes the overall lead into the final weekend. For Hopkins, the focus now shifts to recovery and breaking the cycle of frustration as he prepares for the next leg of the European continental circuit.
Thursday, May 07, 2026
Hopkins Navigates Finish to Secure Top-30 in Larissa
IslandStats.com
Bermudian cyclist Kaden Hopkins maintained his strong start to the Tour of Greece, finishing safely within the lead group after a high-speed sprint finish on Stage Two.
Representing the Atom 6 Bikes – Cycleur de Luxe – Auto Stroo Continental Team, Hopkins took on a 157.6km route from Karpenisi to Larissa. Despite a significant early climb over the Tymfristos, the race transformed into a tactical battle on the long, flat approach to the capital of the Thessaly region.
The Serbian national champion, Dušan Rajović, proved to have the fastest legs on the day, powering to a victory that secured his team’s eleventh win of the season. Hopkins displayed sharp tactical awareness to avoid the chaos of a frantic final kilometre, crossing the line in 26th place.
In a testament to the competitive depth of the field, Hopkins clocked a time of 3:36:15—the same time awarded to the first 101 riders across the line.
The result keeps Hopkins well-positioned in the general classification following his top-ten finish on the opening day.
Thursday, May 07, 2026
Heartbreak for Narraway in Brutal Gila Monster Finale
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Bermudian cyclist Nicholas Narraway saw his impressive Tour of the Gila campaign come to a premature end after a grueling final stage in the high deserts of Southwest New Mexico.
The 38th edition of the prestigious stage race reached its climax with the infamous Stage Five—a punishing 161.9km road race from Silver City to Pinos Altos. Known as the "Gila Monster" due to its relentless climbing and high-altitude attrition, the stage proved to be a bridge too far for a significant portion of the peloton.
Narraway, representing Competitive Edge Racing, was one of three riders from his team forced to withdraw before reaching the summit finish. In a day defined by heavy winds and punishing gradients, the young Bermudian was unable to complete the course, bringing a sudden halt to what had been a promising week of racing.
Prior to the final stage, Narraway had demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical maturity. After navigating the high-altitude individual time trial and several hilly road stages, he had climbed to a commendable 46th position overall in the general classification.
Missing out on the final finish line at Pinos Altos means Narraway was unable to defend or improve upon that standing, but his performances across the opening four stages have further cemented his reputation as a rising force in North American cycling.
Despite the DNF (Did Not Finish) on the final day, Narraway leaves New Mexico having held his own against some of the world's elite continental teams, gaining invaluable experience in one of the sport's most physically demanding environments.
