White Shows Grit in 2026 Rutland–Melton CiCLE Classic
IslandStats.com
Bermudian powerhouse Conor White produced a resilient display on the punishing gravel sectors of the East Midlands, finishing within touching distance of the leaders at the 2026 Rutland–Melton CiCLE Classic.
On a day where the 187km course lived up to its reputation as "Britain's Belgian Classic," the Jakroo Handsling Racing rider navigated the brutal farm tracks and steep gradients of Rutland to secure a hard-fought result against a stacked international field.
The race, famous for its unique mix of off-road "special sectors" and rolling English countryside, was blown apart in the final 40 kilometres. After several breakaways were reeled in on the approach to the infamous Somerberg sector, a select group of riders managed to forge ahead.
Otto van Zanden proved the strongest of the elite escapees, timing his final move to perfection to claim a prestigious UCI 1.2 victory. The winner crossed the finish line in Oakham with a time of 5:06:03, narrowly fending off a charging chasing pack in a breathless finale.
Representing the UK-based Jakroo Handsling Racing, Conor White stayed in the thick of the action as the peloton fractured over the rougher terrain. Known for his time-trial prowess, White utilized his raw power to maintain contact with the main chasing groups as the race reached its crescendo on the final circuits around Melton Mowbray and Oakham.
White eventually crossed the line in 5:07:27, finishing just 1 minute and 24 seconds behind Van Zanden. The result marks a significant step forward for the Bermudian in the European spring classics, particularly given the high rate of attrition and mechanical failures that typically define this race.
White’s performance in the East Midlands follows a string of solid outings on the British domestic circuit, including a gritty top-35 finish at the East Cleveland Classic earlier this month.
The Bermudian is using the demanding UCI calendar in Europe to sharpen his form ahead of a major summer schedule on the international stage. With his ability to handle long distances and technical terrain clearly on display today, White remains a rider to watch as the road season intensifies.
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Miller Masterclass as Criterium Drama Unfolds at Southside
IslandStats.com
Alexander Miller secured a commanding victory at the Southside Motor Sports Park as the Bermuda Bicycle Association’s Criterium circuit delivered a morning of high-speed drama and tactical brilliance.
Hosted by the BRCC, the event saw the island’s elite riders tackle a fast and winding layout that tested both technical handling and raw power. In the premier A/B Category, Miller, representing Winners Edge, proved to be the class of the field over the twenty-one-lap contest. He crossed the line in 38:47, establishing a comfortable gap over teammate Dylan Eiselt, who secured the second spot in 39:11. Dominique Mayho of VT Construction rounded out the podium with a resilient effort to finish in 40:04.
However, the elite race was overshadowed by a distressing incident on the final lap involving Tracy Wright. The veteran rider went down in a heavy crash as the pack jockeyed for position in the closing stages. Race organizers and the local cycling community have since extended their best wishes to Wright for a full and speedy recovery following the fall.
The Category C race provided the most frantic finish of the day, leaving officials to consult the cameras after fifteen laps of relentless racing. In a remarkable three-way sprint for the line, independent rider Lucas Bule was awarded the win by the narrowest of margins over Peter Tadman and Frank Ming. All three riders were officially clocked at 30:34, showcasing the incredible parity within the division as they navigated the final technical turn onto the straight.
There was a similarly thrilling conclusion in the Under 12 division over seven laps. Austen Carr and Niklas Bock were inseparable as they lunged for the finish, with Carr ultimately taking the top spot in a photo finish after both youngsters recorded a time of 17:02. Isaac Wookey followed closely behind to claim the third podium position in 17:17, capping off a day that highlighted the promising depth of Bermuda’s junior cycling ranks.
Category A/B 21 Laps
38:47 Alexander Miller - Winners Edge - 38:47 39:11 Dylan Eiselt - Winners Edge - 39:11 40:04 Dominique Mayho - VT Construction - 40:04 39:14 Forrest Chris Nusum - Winners Edge - 1 lap 39:26 Jens Drea - VT Construction - 1 lap 39:26 Clifford Roberts - VT Construction - 1 lap 39:26 Stephen Ryan - BRCC - 1 lap 39:35 Darren Glasford - Winners Edge - 1 lap 38:00 Tracy Wright - Winners Edge - 2 laps 38:48 Panzy Olander - VT Construction - 5 laps
Category C 15 Laps
30:34 Lucas Bule - Independent 30:34 Peter Tadman - BRCC 30:34 Frank Ming - Winners Edge 31:52 Gordon Smith - Independent 32:07 Neil MacGuinness - BRCC 32:23 Kareem Johnson - Winners Edge 30:39 Nicole Mitchell - Winners Edge - 1 lap 30:39 Kyle Godfrey - Independent - 1 lap 30:39 Kaleb Harris - Bermuda Junior Cycling - 1 lap 31:11 Henry Paddison - Independent - 2 laps 31:52 Jeremy Shrubb - BRCC - 2 laps 32:19 Kent Richardson - Winners Edge - 2 laps 32:29 Lawrence Joseph - Independent - 2 laps
French Classic Heartbreak for Hopkins as Jegat Triumphs
IslandStats.com
Kaden Hopkins endured a second consecutive disappointment on French soil as the 6th Classic Grand Besançon Doubs proved to be a brutal test of endurance for the professional peloton.
Representing the Atom 6 Bikes - Cycleur de Luxe - Auto Stroo Continental Team, the Bermudian powerhouse was among a select field of 125 starters for the 175.7km trek. The route, which wound its way from Besançon to a punishing finish in Montfaucon, lived up to its reputation as one of the more grueling one-day fixtures on the European calendar.
However, for the second time in two weeks, Hopkins was forced into an early exit. He was among 20 riders who failed to reach the finish line, marking his second straight "Did Not Finish" following a similarly frustrating outing at the Boucle de l'Artois on April 4th.
While Hopkins reflected on a difficult day in the saddle, the headlines were dominated by a remarkable comeback story at the front of the pack. Jordan Jegat of TotalEnergies secured an emotional victory in his first race back since sidelined by persistent knee injuries.
Jegat showcased his climbing pedigree on the final ascent to Montfaucon, holding off a dual challenge from the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale pair of Matthew Riccitello and Léo Bisiaux. The Frenchman’s tactical masterclass ensured he crossed the line solo to claim the title, leaving Riccitello and Bisiaux to settle for the remaining spots on the podium.
Despite the recent setbacks, Hopkins remains a key figure in the Atom 6 setup as the team continues its busy spring campaign. The Bermudian will be eager to shake off this run of misfortune and find his rhythm as the European road season intensifies.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
White Grinds Out Result in Grueling East Cleveland Classic
IslandStats.com
Conor White produced a resilient performance for Jakroo Handsling Racing as the 2026 National Road Series kicked off with a brutal 100-mile test at the East Cleveland Classic.
Starting and finishing in the picturesque but punishing Saltburn-by-the-Sea, the race was a war of attrition over North Yorkshire’s double-digit gradients. Lucas Jowett of MyPad Racing secured the victory, emerging from an early breakaway to cross the line in 3:47:45 after a relentless battle through the coastal winds.
White, fresh from his recent Pan American track success, found himself in the thick of a splintered peloton as the race climbed the iconic Saltburn Bank for the final time. The Bermudian stayed within striking distance of a chasing group that had fractured under the pressure of over 2,000 meters of elevation gain.
White crossed the line in 31st place with a time of 3:54:11, finishing 6:26 behind Jowett. It was a day of mixed fortunes for his Jakroo Handsling teammates; while Alex Franks secured a podium spot in third, Rowan Baker was forced to finish on a spare bike after a mechanical disaster on the final lap, eventually rolling in just ahead of White in 21st.
The result marks a solid start to the domestic season for White, who is using the British National A circuit to build the "anaerobic capacity and raw grit" required for his major target this summer: the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. With the first leg of the National Series now complete, the focus for the Jakroo Handsling squad shifts to the continental calendar as they look to build on a promising opening weekend.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Narraway Shows Grit as Grueling Redlands Classic Concludes
IslandStats.com
Nicholas Narraway has successfully completed one of North America’s most demanding stage races, finishing 37th overall as the 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic reached its conclusion in California.
The final day of racing saw the professional men’s peloton face the infamous Sunset Road Race, a punishing 91.1-mile test that has long been the undoing of many general classification ambitions. Representing Competitive Edge Racing, Narraway was among 140 of the continent's top riders tasked with navigating a course defined by significant elevation gain and aggressive tactical maneuvers from the start.
The fifth stage was ultimately dominated by Kent Ross, who produced a masterclass in endurance to take the win in three hours, 25 minutes, and 42 seconds. Narraway found himself caught in the secondary groups as the pace intensified on the final climbs, eventually crossing the line in 52nd place with a time of four hours, 12 minutes, and 50 seconds.
While the time gap on the final day was significant, Narraway’s consistency throughout the earlier stages proved vital for his final standing. Having spent much of the week hovering around the top ten, the Bermudian youngster finished the tour with a combined time of 10 hours, 20 minutes, and 17 seconds. This placed him 37th in the final general classification, just over 48 minutes behind the overall champion Eder Moctezuma.
For Narraway and the Competitive Edge Racing team, the week represents a successful outing on the international circuit. Navigating high-speed criteriums and brutal road stages against a world-class field reinforces Narraway’s status as one of the region's rising prospects. With the Redlands Classic now in the rear-view mirror, the focus shifts to the remainder of the spring season, where Narraway will look to build on the resilience shown in the California sun.
