Robin Horsfield runner-up at Caribbean Mountain Bike Championships

Mehluli Sibanda

Created: Aug 08, 2024 07:56 AM (Updated: Aug 08, 2024 08:23 AM)

Podium finish: Robin Horsfield, left, Georwill Perez and Joel García (Photograph supplied)

Robin Horsfield is celebrating after clinching silver on the short track at the Caribbean Mountain Bike Championships in Dominican Republic.

The Bermudian cyclist made a strong and strategic start by sticking close to Puerto Rico's national champion, Georwill Perez. At the five-minute mark, the two surged ahead with only Joel García, from the home nation, being able to keep up with their pace.

Horsfield, the island’s national mountain bike champion, displayed his determination by breaking away from the rest of the pack with Perez. The 24-year-old had the lead for two laps, but the Puerto Rican produced a strong finish to take the gold.

The Canadian-based Horsfield saw the trip to the Dominican as an ideal chance for him to get a feel of where he stands against the other regional riders.

Robin Horsfield had the lead for two laps (Photograph supplied)

“It was a good opportunity to go down and represent Bermuda, just to see how I compare to the other Caribbean racers,’’ Horsfield said.

“It’s been a while since I raced against those riders, so I was surprised and delighted with how I was able to race against them.

“It was a 20-minute race where we do a shorter course of the length where I raced on Sunday as well.

“Sunday was the big race, the cross-country, which is an hour and a half of racing. Unfortunately, I got flat tyre during the course of that race, but I was able to pull myself back from seventh or eighth to finish in fourth place.

“I wasn't able to get on the podium on Sunday, but I think with the fitness I brought to the race, I would have definitely gotten on the podium if it wasn’t for the mechanical issue.

Robin Horsfield, left, Georwill Perez and Joel García (Photograph supplied) (Photograph supplied)

“I’d also like to thank the my local sponsors who have been able to make this year possible, and the Bermuda Bicycle Association for the opportunity to race in Dominican Republic.”

Horsfield has been based in Canada for seven years, combining his studies with competing for Royal City Racing in the Canada Cup Mountain Bike Series.

“I’m ranked fifth in the national series out here in Canada with one more race to go,” he said. “I’m hoping to be able to hold on to that fifth, but we’ll see how the last race goes.”