Cycling: Matthew Oliveira Wins 2nd Silver Medal
Bermuda’s Matthew Oliveira has won his second silver medal at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic, with the competition seeing the entire Bermuda team perform well.
“Sunday was another successful day for Matthew Oliveira as he captured another silver medal, this time in the road race. He was part of a two-man breakaway that started on the seventh of ten laps of the 6.5 kilometre circuit,” BBA President Peter Dunne said.
“He and his fellow escapee eventually built a one minute lead on the rest of the pack and going into the final hill to the finish the two riders were giving all they could to ensure the victory. In the final surge to the line Matthew was narrowly beaten but it was a well-earned result.
“Matthew’s teammates Kaden Hopkins and Dylan Hill both raced well despite Kaden crashing in a 180 degree turn on the first lap. He then spent and entire lap chasing the peloton and made it back in order to help cover attacks from other countries to help Matthew.
“Hopkins retired after six laps but not until he made a final effort to help better the Bermuda result. Hill spent the race towards the front a a very strong peloton covering break attempts until pulling out after 8 laps, very exhausted but confident that his work had helped Oliveira’s chances.
“Daniel Oatley was Bermuda’s only representative in the older age group which raced 15 laps, almost 100 kilometres in extremely warm conditions. While a the eventual winner from Dominican Republic was building an ever larger lead from the fifth lap, Oatley maintained a safe position in the peloton which was seeing the numbers dwindle as the race progressed.
“On the 11th lap, sensing the opportunity to seize one of the remaining podium positions, he initiated a break with another Dominican rider and the two made some progress on that lap but were eventually reeled in by the peloton with just four laps to go.
“That group then continued to attack each other and as the peloton shattered into several smaller groups Oatley was within sight of the main chasers, mainly Dominicans and finished in the top ten. This was a fantastic result for the recent Saltus graduate and showed his ability to read the race situation.
“Our girls were up against some very strong riders in a field of just eight riders. While finish in the last two spots, Cassy McPhee and Tristan Narraway stayed with the peloton into the final kilometres of the race. Having had to chase back to the group numerous times in their eight-lap race, they showed that they belonged at this event and have the ability to progress further.
“All-in-all this was a successful weekend of racing for Team Bermuda. Matthew’s medals were not only gained individually but with the assistance of his teammates. All of the riders have come away from Santiago, DR with personal succeed as well as areas of their racing where they can make further adaptations.”
Matthew continues to shine !
CONGRATULATIONS THE BERMUDA TEAM, KEEP SHINING