Bermudian cyclist Kaden Hopkins is facing a significant setback just weeks before his debut season with Belgian continental side Atom 6-Cycleur de Luxe-Auto Stroo was set to begin.
The 25-year-old, who recently celebrated a return to elite European competition, suffered a broken collarbone during the final climb of a grueling training camp in Calpe, Spain.
The injury comes at the end of what had been an exceptional week of preparation. Hopkins and his teammates had safely covered over 1,000 kilometers of riding, including a staggering 15,500 meters of elevation over six days.
The crash occurred on the final day of the camp, turning an "amazing week" into a medical emergency. Hopkins was transported to Benidorm Hospital, where he is expected to undergo surgery tomorrow.
"Cycling is such a tough, demanding and at times dangerous sport," his father, Greg Hopkins, posted on social media. "We are so grateful to his team for taking such good care of him and to Diego [Milan] and Abner for being there for him. True friends."
Despite the timing of the injury—occurring right as the Belgian season is scheduled to start in late February—the Bermudian standout remains positive about his return.
Hopkins entered the 2026 season in what has been described as "incredible shape," following a successful 2025 campaign where he secured multiple stage victories in Guadeloupe. His new team, Atom 6, had signed him as their 17th and final rider, valuing his "proven winning instinct" and experience in high-stakes European racing.
This is not the first time Hopkins has demonstrated remarkable resilience. In early 2025, he returned to winning ways just a week after a high-speed collision in Bermuda that left him unconscious. Fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a similarly swift recovery as he aims to rejoin the peloton for the spring classics in Belgium.
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