Robin Horsfield finished an impressive seventh of 86 cyclists as the Canada Cup Mountain Bike Race Series concluded last week.

Bermuda’s top mountain biker final position in the eight-race series was a significant improvement from the twelfth place he attained last year.

“My goal was to be in the top ten in the series, so I was really happy to fulfil that,’’ Horsfield told The Royal Gazette. “All my targets for this year have been completed.”

“It’s nice to improve on my results over the years and ensure that the improvement is coming for people supporting me.”

In the final race in Saint-Félicien, Quebec, on Sunday, the Bermudian finished fourteenth of 27 in the cross country, which saw him slip from fifth to seventh. He finished fifteenth in the preliminary short track the previous day.

“I went into the big race on Sunday ranked fifth’’ he said.

“I knew it would be hard to hold on to that because there are a lot of very fast guys who hadn't done as many races, and they were ranked just behind me.

“I think it was definitely one of my best performances. I know it may not show to be the best performance wise as I've placed better in the Canada Cup.

“It was a good way to finish the series, it was really nice to end it on a high. Fitness wise, I felt really strong on the bike. I liked the way I raced and I’m happy with how I executed this race.”

This was the first season that Horsfield competed in all eight races in the Canada Cup, with his previous efforts hindered by funding constraints.

It has been a busy summer for the national mountain bike champion as he featured in 20 races, including taking on the best in short track at the Caribbean Mountain Bike Championships in Dominican Republic, where he won silver this month.

While Horsfield does most of his races in Canada, where he has been based since 2017, all of the rider’s support comes from Bermuda.

“I’m very grateful for the local support I’ve had from companies and individuals this season to help me as I pursue my career in professional mountain biking,” he added.

“It wouldn't be possible for me to do this number of races and travel if it wasn't for the support that I’ve had from Bermuda.

“I’m racing for a really small team in Canada, so I don’t get funding from them. The support is really coming from Bermuda, which is what I really enjoy. It makes me proud to race and have that support, and to be able to show them positive results and progress.

“I have to give huge thanks to my 2024 sponsors Northshore Pharmacy, Bermuda Bicycle Association, Buzz Cafe, Department of Sport and Recreation, Arch Reinsurance, Fat Tire Massive, Butterfield & Vallis, Flow State Bicycle Company and Horsfield Landscape & Design.”