Days after clinching silver on the short track at the Caribbean Mountain Bike Championships, Robin Horsfield returned to Canada to pick up a provincial title.

In a field of 13 riders, Bermuda’s top mountain biker held off a strong challenge from Dylan Kerr in a long sprint to the line to win the Ontario provincial championship.

The 24-year-old, who been based in Canada since 2017, was delighted to finally win his first provincial title.

“It was a big race, so I’m really excited to have that win,’’ Horsfield said. “I've participated in it quite a number of times, and to be able to become a provincial champion is a good achievement for this year.

“I’ve been on the podium before, but I had never won the race. Last year, I was second to Malcolm Barton.

“With this being my first year as a full-time cyclist, it’s exciting to see the fitness increase. The results are a reflection of the hard work I've been putting in.”

Turning to the five-lap race held on a 7.4km Area 8 Conservation Area course, the Bermudian described it as a fast-paced contest, which saw him keep his eye on Kerr before dropping him on the sprint.

“We had a lot of fast guys, it was well-contested field,’’ he said. “The group stayed together. Dylan Kerr, who got second place, laid out most of the course on the hills, and I was right behind him.

“Eventually, we were able to get it down to a two-man race between myself and him. Because the race was so fast, I knew I couldn’t get away from him after staying with him the whole race, so I decided to take it to a sprint finish. Luckily, I was able to prevail.”

With one race remaining, Horsfield is fifth in the Canada Cup Series, a marked improvement from the twelfth position he achieved last year.

“Next year I’m looking to improve further on my results,’’ added Horsfield, who competes under the banner of Guelph-based Royal City Racing.

“I’m coming to Bermuda in the winter to do the Fattire Massive, which is a really great series for anyone looking to try mountain biking.

“That is where I first started racing, so I’ll be participating in a few of those races when I’m back on the island.”