Nicholas Narraway will be the first of Bermuda’s four riders in action at the Pan American Road Cycling Championship on Tuesday.

Narraway will take to the roads around Sao Jose dos Campos, a major city in the south eastern state of Sao Paulo, in the under-23 elite time-trial, which is scheduled to take place over 35.1 kilometres.

Alongside Narraway, Kaden Hopkins and Conor White will be in action in the elite men’s road race over 206.4km on Sunday, with the two older members of the squad competing on Thursday in the Elite men’s time-trial.

Gabriella Arnold, who competes for LA Sweat Racing, is the only female rider representing Bermuda and will compete in the Elite Women’s race, which will take place over 113.3km on Saturday.

Peter Dunne, president of the Bermuda Bicycle Association, is confident that the riders are capable of bringing home a medal after Kaden Hopkins finished third in the time-trial at the event last year.

“All four of these cyclists have demonstrated strong results and showcased Bermuda on the international stage,” Dunne said.

“Last year at this event Kaden podiumed with a third in the individual time trial, so there are expectations.

“However, we recognise that the road race will be challenging as our cyclists will be facing full teams of six riders from other countries. While Kaden and Conor can work together to some extent, Gabby and Nic will be facing their events solo. This presents a unique challenge, particularly as opposing teams work to control the pace of the race. Nonetheless, our cyclists are prepared to tackle this challenge head-on.”

Travelling with the team are Dunne, who is acting as team manager and Paulo Medeiros, co-owner of Winners Edge bike shop, acting as mechanic.

“We travel with the team to provide crucial support throughout the championship,” said Dunne.

“I will serve as team manager, overseeing logistics, attending event meetings, and providing guidance to the riders.

“Paulo Medeiros will join the team as the mechanic, ensuring that the cyclists’ bikes are in optimal condition and providing on-the-fly assistance during races. This dedicated support allows the cyclists to focus solely on their preparation and racing, knowing that they have trusted professionals supporting them every step of the way.”

The 2024 Pan American Road Championship, organised by the Brazilian Cycling Confederation and the Paulista Cycling Federation, promises a thrilling showcase of cycling excellence. With races adhering to UCI rules, the championship is set to captivate audiences with its blend of athleticism, strategy, and sheer determination.