Dominique Mayho, the Bermuda captain, clinched a tenth-place finish in the final stage of the Vuelta Independencia Dominicana in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic yesterday, as the island’s contingent wrapped up a highly respectable campaign.

After seven days of racing over a total of 1,100 kilometres, Nicholas Narraway led Bermuda’s five-man team in the overall classification, finishing twentieth and fourth in the under-23 standings, to narrowly miss out on a podium place.

His combined time of 28hrs 14min 51secs, saw him finish slightly more than eight and a half minutes adrift of general classification winner Nelson Sanchez.

Also competing in the under-23 category were Liam Flannery, who finished 69th overall, and Alexander Miller, who ended up in 79th.

Conor White sealed a 37th-place finish overall, and 29th among the elite field, which also contained Dominique Mayho, whose impressive finish yesterday helped him to a 74th placing in the general classification.

“I’m happy to report that the entire team was able to complete this gruelling event which was the longest version to date, almost 1,200 kilometres and with the strongest field in many years,” said Peter Dunne, the Bermuda Bicycle Association president, who accompanied the team.

“All of the guys are quite relieved that the test is done and many of our team goals have been accomplished.

“Given that this is early in the racing season for our guys, they have done well individually as well as a team.

“One of our main goals was for the riders to work out how they can function as a unit in races such as this Vuelta Independencia Dominicana so that in future endeavours they have a better understanding of their individual roles.”

Dunne added: “In the final stage which was only 90 kilometres, the team executed perfectly on the race plan to deliver Dominique [Mayho] into the final sprint where he finished tenth.

“Seeing Conor [White] on the front of the peloton heading into the final lap, working to bring back the lead four riders was extremely pleasing.”

Dunne said the team, had to overcome some adversities during the seven days of competition, some out of their control, like mechanical problems.

“During the last seven days of racing there have been some trying moments, both physical and mechanical, for each of the team members,” he added.

“Several have had “digestion issues” which did not make racing more than four hours each day more enjoyable, but they battled on.

“On top of the usual number of mid-race punctures we had several other bike issues which we were able to resolve and continue.

“All-in-all we had some race successes on top of the team goals.

“On the first stage Conor finished in fifteenth place, Dominique was tenth on stages five and seven, and Nic Narraway rode impressively up the mountain on stage six for fifteenth place, a performance that caught the intention of several of the teams here.

“Alexander [Miller] and Liam [Flannery], fresh out of the junior ranks, rose to the occasion and really grew during the week.

“It is hard to properly explain how much of a step up this level of racing is from anything they have done before.

“The good news is that few races will be as tough for them as this one!”

The team is preparing to return home this evening.

“I am very pleased with the team’s performance and look forward to them moving on with their teams into the 2022 racing season,” Dunne said.

“We hope to see all of them in the pink and blue for Bermuda at various international events this year, knowing that their preparation is challenging them to new heights.”