Izabella Arnold was the outstanding performer for hosts Bermuda in the Caribbean Cycling Junior Championships over the weekend, writes Stephen Wright.

Arnold showed her potential by claiming third place in the Female Time Trial on Saturday against some of the top cyclists in the region, finishing one position ahead of compatriot Claire Hawley.

Ryan Gunn also had a memorable weekend by placing fourth in both the Juvenile (ages 15 and 16) Time Trial and yesterday's Road Race, an 18-lap route over 72 kilometres.

Caribbean powerhouses Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Curacao were the most successful of the islands competing in the Championships, the first to ever to be held in Bermuda. Puerto Rico were the overall winners with Bermuda finishing fourth.

Event director Peter Dunne said he was pleased with the encouraging displays of Bermuda's cyclists, especially Arnold and Gunn.

"I was very pleased with how our kids did. Ryan Gunn achieved some great results and gave really strong performances," said Dunne. "Izabella Arnold can also be proud for her performance coming third in the time trial.

"I thought our juvenile cyclists also did a fine job. Some of them only started cycling this year and I'm delighted that they all had a positive experience which should encourage them to continue. They've already been asking when their next race is. As we expected, the strongest cycling countries in the region enjoyed the best results."

Dunne added that he was satisfied with the overall running of the two-day event. "I thought the event went very well. Obviously there were a couple of glitches but I think we can be happy in terms of the organisation of the championships."

Puerto Rican's Gina Rivera won the female road race, Rudy Ashton, of Trinidad, claimed victory in the junior category and Barbadian Russell Elcock was the first home in the juvenile race.

In Saturday's time trial – a 17.5 kilometre ride over a testing course from Middle Road to Bermuda College – saw Rivera also take top spot in the female race, Elcock triumph in the juvenile category and Puerto Rico's Roberto Torres win the junior competition.

Team Bermuda was made up of ten riders including last year's medallists Hayley Evans and Sophie Adams, who were joined by Hawley, Arnold and Michaela Eberly as the female contingent.

The male squad included Philip Woolridge, Gunn, Tre'Shun Correia, Marquis Cann and Dominique Mayho.