Hopkins Strikes Gold inTime Trial After Sprint Battle
IslandStats.com
Bermudian cyclist Kaden Hopkins enjoyed a remarkable turnaround today at the Tour de Marie-Galante, seizing victory in the crucial individual Time Trial after a strong second-place finish in the stage's earlier leg.
The first part of the stage, a 110.1-kilometre road race, lived up to its billing as an intense tactical battle. In a thrilling sprint finish over the final 40 metres, Kevin Le Cunff (TMCBE) edged out Hopkins (USL) for the victory, with Ronald Géran (CCD) taking third just hours before the decisive time trial.
However, it was in the afternoon's 12.6-kilometre individual time trial between Grand-Bourg and Morne des Pères that Hopkins truly shone. The Bermudian powered through the course to claim a dominant victory, clocking an impressive time of 18 minutes and 43 seconds.
Hopkins finished well ahead of current yellow jersey holder Benjamin Le Ny (Team CAMA CCD), who recorded 19:19, and previous stage winner Damien Urcel (Team Madras Capesterre Belle-Eau), who finished in 19:26. This commanding performance in the time trial will undoubtedly provide a significant boost for Hopkins as the Tour de Marie-Galante continues.
