It will be a combination of new ideas and tried and tested experience guiding Bermuda Bicycle Association into the 2006 season following this week?s Annual General Meeting which saw a full board of officers elected.

After a total of seven years on the administrational side of the sport, firstly as secretary and then as president, Danielle Bezant stepped down, as did long-serving member Keith Fenn.

Francois Bertrand was elected as the association?s new president and after a two year absence Greg Hopkins returned as national coach.

Members at the AGM heard that 2005 had been a challenging year for the sport with Bezant, Fenn and Bertrand left to hold the fort following treasurer Steve Millington?s resignation from the board part way through the season, although he continued to fulfil his responsibilities as treasurer for the remainder of his term.

Chairing this week?s meeting, Bertrand acknowledged that there had been difficult times over the past year but tireless efforts from both those on the executive had ensured a successful season with 40 events organised in total, including the popular Conyers, Dill and Pearman Grand Prix, a full programme of road races, time trial events and the mountain bike series.

Teams representing Bermuda had also been sent to the Island Games and the Caribbean Championships.

Joining Bertrand on the new board are veteran rider Vic Ball (vice-president), top female cyclist Julia Hawley (secretary), Ed Jordan (treasurer) and Marcelino Ferreira (road captain).

Bertrand announced that appointed positions would see Peter Dunne, who has taken the C.D&P Grand Prix to another level for the past two years, continue as the international events coordinator.

In addition, he said Jennifer Hedges, who organised the sport?s time trial events for many years as well as being a tireless worker in the sport, would return to assist the new time-trial coordinator Melissa Ferreira.