The Bermuda Bicycle Association’s (BBA) panel of selectors has chosen seven riders plus one alternate to represent Bermuda in Barbados in late October at the Elite Caribbean Cycling Championships hosted by the Barbados Cycling Union. BBA President Peter Dunne released the names of the local squad following the conclusion of last weekend’s Butterfield Bermuda Grand Prix, the final test for the riders being considered.
Leading the squad will be Geri Mewett, former Commonwealth Games cyclist and semi pro rider based in the US. A veteran of most of the eight previous installments of this competition, Mewett has a strong knowledge of the local racing style and has been a contributor to the success of the team in prior years.
Joining Mewett on the men’s squad will be Garth Thomson, Arthur Pitcher, Chris Faria and Mark Hatherley. Thomson will be looking to put in another strong performance in the time trial, the event in which he won the bronze medal in 2008. For Pitcher, Faria and Hatherley this will be their first time participating in the regional championships though Hatherley was a member of the very successful team at the 2007 Island Games in Rhodes.
On the women’s squad will be Deanna Thomson, the defending time trial champion and silver medalist in the road race from last year’s competition in St. Vincent. Flora Duffy has also joined the team after a year of racing for her collegiate cycling team at University of Colorado – Boulder. Better known for her triathlon achievements, Duffy’s rapid progress in cycling disciplines suggests that she too should have some success in Barbados.
The selectors have also named Nicole Mitchell as an alternate to the women’s squad in the event that Thomson or Duffy is unable to participate. Mitchell has made significant progress in the last several months and has demonstrated that she has the potential to rise to the level of the Elite CCC competition.
Selector and BBA board member Elliot Hubbard said, “We have selected a national squad that allows Bermuda the opportunity for success in this competition as well as provide an opportunity for developing athletes to experience the next level of competition. This selection is consistent with our long terms goals and objectives for the sport of cycling in Bermuda.”
The competition will be held in Barbados with the time trial on Saturday, October 24th and the road race the following day. The event is organized under the authority of the Caribbean Cycling Federation, lead by Trevor “Sailor” Bailey of St. Vincent.
