Video: Dominique Mayho Returns From France
Bermuda’s Dominique Mahyo has wrapped up his visit to France where he spent two months training with Philippe Mauduit and racing with the club UCC Vivonne.
At only 18-years-old, Mayho is already one of the island’s top cyclists and is the winner of the Bermuda National Road Race Championships, the May 24th Sinclair Packwood Memorial Road Race and several Road Race Series events.
Commenting on his last week of training Mayho said, “This week I went into town on my rest day for my last bit of shopping and sightseeing. The training was hard this week as it was my last full week in France.
“My last race was on Sunday with the Elite National guys. The course was mainly rolling hills with strong crosswinds and a steep climb at the finish. The race was eleven laps of a 12km circuit, so 132km in total.
“The last time I raced in this category I only lasted about twenty minutes. The race started really fast because all the big teams wanted to split the peloton up in the crosswinds.
“I hung in there for about thirty minutes, but then got dropped on a short climb. I was able to fight my way back on the downhill and stayed with the group until about an hour and forty minutes. Riders kept attacking and I just couldn’t follow anymore.
“I rode the last 60km chasing by myself. I managed to catch people who were dropped after me and tried to work with them, but everyone I caught pulled out of the race. It was a big improvement from the first time racing at this level, so I’m kind of satisfied with the result, and I know I’m getting much fitter.
“The past two months have been an experience of a lifetime. Not only have I been able to train and race in France, I also got to experience a different culture, meet new people and fully understand what it takes to become a pro cyclist. I’d like to thank everyone for supporting me during this wonderful opportunity I’ve had.”
The teenager recently returned to the island and we caught up with him at the airport:
Continue to excel with your skills and talents, Dominique. I trust this will be one of many great experiences awaiting for you to embrace during your journey to becoming a successful pro cyclist. Well done!