Kaden Hopkins has taken a major step in his professional cycling career after signing a one-year deal with Vendee U, the development squad for one of Europe’s top teams TotalEnergies.

The 22-year-old had been in discussion with a number of interested parties after a sensational season in which he notably made his mark representing Bermuda on the world stage at the Commonwealth Games and Under-23 Cycling World Championships,

Hopkins, whose deal at Equipo Essax, the elite under-23 team of the Sax Cycling Club in Spain, came to an end last month, further underlined his potential when winning two gold medals at the Caribbean Championships in the elite and under-23 individual time-trial.

Despite holding discussions with New Zealand-based Global6 Cycling, a full UCI Continental level team in the third tier of professional cycling, Hopkins believes opting to join the development squad for TotalEnergies, who ride in the tier above, offers him a greater opportunity for development and a clear route to the parent team.

“Having that clear pathway to possibly ride for TotalEnergies was definitely part of the decision, but not completely,” said Hopkins. “Global6 are a relatively new team and Vendee U are really well established.

“I felt they could offer me everything I need and more at this stage of my career and once I had that initial discussion with the team, I was sold on it straight away. They were definitely my preferred choice.

“I’m happy to wait and take a step-by-step pathway through the sport. I could have joined a full UCI Continental level team but there is always the risk that you are not ready for it just yet. This way I have the chance to gain experience in a really strong environment and see how I perform under the guidance of the main team.

“Another key factor is that with Vendee U, we will race at a number of different levels, some within the UCI Continental level and some lower. However, the main thing is that as part of the development team, if I’m riding well then I can be added to the TotalEnergies squad to see how I perform and so that pathway is clear.

“I’ll be in the perfect environment for me and I can definitely see that potential to make the step up to the next level. I’ve been given the opportunity and so I know it’s up to me. If I can make the right impression throughout the season then I know I should be rewarded.”

Hopkins, who is currently training at altitude in Colorado before relocating to France in early December, will have the opportunity to impress his coaches when the Vendee U team join up with the TotalEnergies squad for a ten-day training camp in Alicante, Spain, in January.

“At the moment I’m just doing some light high-altitude training as I build up my fitness ahead of the new season,” said Hopkins, who is determined to make an immediate impression. “I’m aiming to come into the new season and continue from where I left off this year and be successful.

“I’m excited to get started. The team has its first training camp in Alicante, where we will ride alongside the pro team and it’s a great chance to be part of that from the start.

“I already know that the team are not solely focused on always winning, they want me to be able to show my potential to be part of a team environment and follow race instructions.

“One great thing for me about being in France is that there is a real time-trial scene, which wasn’t particularly the case in Spain. I’ve always been a pretty selfless rider who will always do whatever is required for the team, but it’s exciting that in the time-trial I will have an opportunity to show what I’m capable of.

“I feel motivated and ready. I’m just really excited to get going.”