Kaden Hopkins produced a superb sprint finish to win the third stage of the Tour of Guadeloupe on Monday.

Hopkins, competing for Vendée U, was one of three riders to cross the line almost simultaneously after the 162km stage from Baie to Pointe-a-Pitre but won in a photo finish from Jeunesse Cycliste des Abymes team-mates Lionel Miny and Jules Lanclume.

The Bermudian, who won two stages on the tour last year, was left in the dark at the finish as to whether he had come out on top.

“I didn’t know that I’d won in the sprint finish and in cycling you never know if the victory is certain,” Hopkins said.

“With a team as strong as we had today, our first goal was to control the race for the yellow jersey and we were able to do that with just two guys.

“In the end I had three guys around me to do the work to keep the race together and ride in the wind. They dropped me off with about 700 metres to go and a big group passed me.

“It was possible to follow in the wheels and take it very closely on the line from two other very fast riders.”

The win continues Hopkins’s fine form after he finished second in the prologue time-trial and eighth on stage one before performing as supporting role in stage two as his Vendée U team-mate Sam Maisonobe took the win and the yellow jersey, and he is confident of more success.

“This was only stage three and there is still a long way to go,” Hopkins said.

“But we’re here with a very motivated team and if it’s possible to take another victory we will not hesitate.”