Bermuda Bicycle Association have announced a mixed team of experience and new faces for the upcoming Caribbean Championships to be held in Guadeloupe on October 23 and 24.

The seven-rider squad includes both men and women.

Leading the men will be former Olympic athlete and top Bermudian cyclist Geri Mewett, who has represented the Island at many major festivals, including the Commonwealth Games.

The BBA believe his vast experience will be vital in guiding the rest of the team at what has developed in recent years into a high level competition.

Joining Mewett will be Mark Hatherely, regarded as the best climber in local cycling – a strength that should serve him well on what is likely to be a challenging course. Hatherely has ridden for Bermuda before, at the Island Games, but the remainder of the men's team will be donning the Bermuda colours for the first time.

Darren Glasford makes his first Bermuda team appearance after being voted 'Most Improved Rider' at the annual Awards Dinner last year, and has been one of the most consistent riders this season.

Adam Harbutt is the fourth member of the men's team and is regarded as a smart tactical rider and a strong climber who is prepared to work for his team. He was the first Bermuda finisher in the Battenkill Road Race earlier this year.

Shannon Lawrence rounds out the team. The least experienced of the men's group, Lawrence showed last year that he has made significant strides, especially the individual time-trial events where his times were second only to Caribbean Cycling Championship medallist Garth Thompson who no longer resides in Bermuda.

Lawrence will be the Island's representative in the time-trial in Guadeloupe.

On the women's team, Olympic athlete Flora Duffy will be looking to continue her impressive year which has seen her excel both on the bike for her collegiate team based in Boulder, Colorado and in the triathlon where she has seen a return to her old form, recording some top international performances.

The former Olympian will be joined by newcomer Nicole Mitchell, in only her second full season. She has been racing in the top men's category this year and according to the BBA, her strength and experience have improved greatly.

Last week in her first overseas competition she won the women's division in the Pensacola Cycling Classic stage race.

Both Duffy and Mitchell will ride in the time trial and road race events.

Team spokesman Greg Hopkins said: "This year we had a number of men who were trying to make the team, and everyone worked extremely hard.

"It was difficult for the selection committee to pick the team as they knew everyone had been very committed. The Caribbean Championships have gone from strength to strength in the last 10 years and is now a very high level competition.

"The host country, Guadeloupe, is renowned for its cycling strength and for staging tough, challenging courses. Cycling for them is a passion."

The team was selected based on a number of factors but the nature of the course was a big consideration." Hopkins added.

"We have to go into this competition with realistic expectations. It is going to be extremely tough for our riders but we are going into it knowing that they have done everything they can to prepare. They have worked very hard over the last few months and have been assisted by Bermudian Matthew Herring who is a Sports Performance Specialist at the University of California"

The team leave on October 21.