Bermuda will field its two reigning national champions at the Caribbean Mountain Bike Championships on Friday, July 25th, as Gabriella Arnold and Robin Horsfield line up in the Elite Women and Elite Men Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) events respectively.
The races will take place at the rugged Complejo Deportivo La Barranquita circuit, with Arnold starting at 9:30 a.m. and Horsfield at 11:30 a.m.
Both Arnold and Horsfield are the 2025 Bermuda National Mountain Bike Champions, and their selection to represent the island reflects both current form and international pedigree.
This year’s championships double as a qualifier for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, with the top six finishers in each elite category earning spots for their country—subject to a maximum of two riders per gender.
Bermuda has never before qualified for the CAC Games in mountain biking, but hopes are high.
Arnold, who competes professionally on the international road and gravel circuit, will be making her Caribbean MTB Championship debut. While this is her first time racing MTB at this level, she’s no stranger to regional competition, having represented Bermuda and medaled as both a junior and elite road cyclist in previous Caribbean Road Championships.
Horsfield is returning with proven success at this level, he earned a bronze medal in 2019 at these championships and is one of Bermuda’s most experienced off-road athletes.
The duo will be supported by their coaches, Mark Brown for Horsfield and Kelsey Devereaux for Arnold, who will also serve as technical support and mechanics during the event.
“This is a great opportunity for both athletes,” said Peter Dunne, President of the Bermuda Bicycle Association. “Mountain biking is not widely practised at a high level in the Caribbean, so we hope Robin and Gabby will be strong contenders and showcase the depth of talent Bermuda has to offer on the regional stage.”
The courses in Santiago are designed to challenge even the most seasoned riders, combining steep climbs, fast descents, and technical sections with tight turns and natural obstacles. The XCO format demands not only speed and endurance, but also razor-sharp handling skills. Spectators can expect thrilling racing against a backdrop of the Dominican Republic’s striking terrain and tropical beauty.
This year’s Caribbean Championships include elite and junior categories for men and women, but Bermuda’s focus remains solely on the elite competition.
Mountain biking in Bermuda continues to thrive, thanks to a dedicated community spearheaded by Fattire Massive, which organises an inclusive annual race series for riders of all ages and abilities. The Bermuda Bicycle Association, the national governing body, sanctions the race series, officiates races and oversees team selection for international competitions such as this.
With talent, experience, and national pride at stake, Bermuda’s champions are poised to make a powerful statement in Santiago.
|
