Kaden Hopkins is already relishing taking on more of a leadership role next year after agreeing a new one-year contract extension with French team Vendée U.

The 23-year-old Bermudian brought his domestic season to a close last weekend, finish 26th in the Paris-Connerré, a 173.5 kilometre road race, after playing a vital supporting role to team-mate Rayan Boulahoite, who finished third.

For Hopkins it was the conclusion of a highly positive debut campaign on a development squad for one of Europe’s top teams, TotalEnergies, after he left the elite under-23 team of the Sax Cycling Club in Spain at the end of last year.

“It has definitely been a pleasing first season and from the start it has been nothing but positive,” he said.

“I was put in the team in the very first races and that just showed me that there was confidence in me. At the end of that last race you could see the understanding of the team.

“Collectively we have had the same goals and that’s why we’ve enjoyed success and had a lot of race wins as a team, so it’s been a very positive season for all of us.

“I knew I was not only stepping up to a higher level of races, but also competing against some very strong fields of riders.

“It’s definitely been a learning process, but I think the races in France suit me and thankfully I’ve managed to be able to meet expectations and play an important role in the team.”

With his immediate future now agreed, Hopkins revealed he has been given assurances over a more prominent role next year.

“In cycling people on the outside tend to focus on individual results, but there is a lot more to it within the team and having specific roles,” he added.

“By the end of the season, I felt completely comfortable in the races and I was always riding from the front, whether that was for me or helping others to challenge.

“I spoke with the team director, Hervé Arcade, and they have seen my progression and told me I’ll be given more priority and even take on more of a leadership role.

“I think the team will be going through a little bit of a change with some very young riders coming in so the team are looking at me to be that leader and take on a more prominent role.

“As well as helping the younger riders, they have also told me that when it comes to the bigger UCI and French Cup races I can go and commit to my own personal results and challenge for more victories.

“It’s funny because a couple of years ago that might have been a little intimidating, but now it’s something I’m looking forward to. Even just in the space of a year I feel like I’ve learnt so much, progressed a lot and now I’m ready for that role as a leader and example to others.”

Hopkins will now turn his attention to representing Bermuda, with the Caribbean Road Cycling Championships in Guadeloupe starting this weekend and that will act as vital preparation for the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, which starts on October 20.

As part of a four-strong male contingent alongside Conor White, Nicholas Narraway and Liam Flannery in Guadeloupe, Hopkins will be aiming to defend his time-trial title as well as challenge in the road race.

“I’m really looking forward to the Caribbean Championships where I’m definitely looking forward to defending my time-trial title and then look to give it my all in the road race,” he said.

“We have had some really strong results as a country at the championships and so the expectations have definitely been raised. The four of us are all riding overseas at a high level and so that brings more pressure, but we are all feeling confident.”