Cyclist Kris Hedges returns to Bermuda today with a gold medal as time trial winner of the inaugural Caribbean Cycling Championships after a dominant performance in Aruba on Saturday.

The 21-year-old left all challengers trailing in his wake with a superlative effort of 40 minutes and 38 seconds over a 30-kilometre course that was more difficult than expected and made treacherous by stiff winds throughout.

"We thought that the course would be suited for a good time trial but the wind conditions made it pretty tough," said Hedges, who beat the runner-up by more than two minutes. "But it was a very good result and I'm pleased."

Kent Richardson, the Bank of Bermuda Individual Triathlon champion, who was a late addition to the squad, finished a creditable sixth, prompting Greg Hopkins, the national coach, to highlight Hedges' achievement further.

"Kent has been riding very well in Bermuda and for him to finish that far behind shows how well Kris rode," said Hopkins.

However, fortune did not shine on the two Bermuda women who were attempting to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.

Julia Hawley and Melanie Claude, granted special permission to compete in the time trial as there was no official women's event in Aruba, were agonisingly close to making the standard but were undone ultimately by the conditions. Their effort rated as "outstanding" nonetheless because they placed inside the top 11.

Meanwhile, the Bermuda squad went into yesterday's 120-kilometre road race high on confidence but there would be disaster early on as Richardson and Steve Millington were forced out of the race inside the first two laps; and neither saw it coming.

"Kent was knocked off his bike at the end of the first lap and lost four spokes from his back wheel," said Hopkins. "Steve was also hit from behind one-and-a-half laps later and he lost his gear mechanism."

The loss of two riders so early in the race significantly reduced the chances of a second Bermuda gold, especially given the quality of the leading Jamaican riders, but Geri Mewett, Wayne Scott and Hedges "rode their hearts out," according to Hopkins

Mewett initiated a breakaway with a Jamaica rider that lasted 50 miles. The pair were reeled in with two laps remaining and then the race developed into a tactical battle where shortage of numbers played against Bermuda.

"Wayne Scott had a great ride," Hopkins said of the rider designated to protect Hedges. "But Jamaica kept attacking and counter-attacking and eventually got away."

Hedges did enough to finish sixth after a bunch sprint, capping a fine weekend. "It was just unfortunate that we lost two riders," Hopkins added. "Other than that, it was a top weekend, a fantastic weekend and we're all really pleased about the time trial."