Kaden Hopkins has shrugged off health concerns from a recent crash after a disappointing showing in the Circuit des Ardennes in France at the weekend.

The Bermudian cyclist finished the three-stage road race in 93rd overall on his return to action less than a week after being involved in a huge crash during the first stage of Boucle de l'Artois.

“In terms of injuries I am okay after the crash but the only thing I got from it was road rash and some bruising,” Hopkins told The Royal Gazette.

“I am completely fine and I already feel back to 100 per cent.”

The Vendée U team rider had high expectations heading into last weekend’s event but he was hindered by a number of mechanical issues.

“Honestly, the weekend was a bit of a disappointment for me,” Hopkins said.

“It was a big goal for me this year but it just didn’t really work out the way I wanted it to.

“The first two stages were the ones that really suited me and I was taken out of contention in both of them by very poorly timed mechanical problems.

“That left me to try and salvage what I could from the last two races but I couldn’t really manage anything.

“The first stages suited me the best because the climbs were not as long, and because the roads were very narrow it was more important to be well positioned in the group, which is something I enjoy.

“On the first stage we were in a section of the course where there was 55kph winds directly from the side. Zones like this are super important to be near the front because it eliminates any draft effect, and teams always use these zones to break the peloton apart.

“The bigger teams attacked at this part and I was in a great place, but unfortunately my gears stopped working, meaning I had to go all the way back through the groups on the road to my team car to change to my spare bike. At that point it was impossible to get back into the race with the teams in front riding as hard as possible.”

Hopkins tried his best to bounce back on the next day but endured more frustration after sustaining a flat tyre.

“On the second day there was a finishing circuit with short but steep climbs and positioning again was very important,” he added.

“Right before we entered the circuit I got a flat tyre, meaning I had to go back to my team car again, and I only got back to the peloton just as we arrived at the first climb.

“The big teams again attacked in the climb and split the group, and I had to waste a lot of energy getting back through groups but managed to get back to the front.

“However, a few laps later I paid for those efforts and wasn’t able to follow the front of the race again when it split.”

The 24-year-old has moved on from his frustrating ordeal and is instead looking ahead to what he hopes will be better fortune at upcoming events.

“Having bad races is just part of the sport unfortunately,” Hopkins said. “Although it doesn’t make it easier when it happens at such a big goal, you just have to accept it and look forward to the next races.

“The next four to five weeks are all very important races with three French Cups and my next UCI stage race, which I will have full focus for.”