Cycling: Hopkins Claims Win For Vendee U
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda cyclist Kaden Hopkins produced a superb showing for professional team Vendee U in the three-stage Boucle de l’Artois race in the Hauts-de-France region.
Hopkins claimed his first win for Vendee U in the opening stage, an 83.4-kilometre ride from Frévin-Capelle to Parc d’Olhain on April 1.
The 23-year-old continued his fine form with two impressive displays in stages two and three today [April 2], finishing fifth in stage two, an 80.3km ride from Fruges to Beaurainville and third in the 163.3km final stage from Beaurains to Bapaume.
He placed third in the general classification of the elite national race – three seconds behind the overall winner, Pierre Thierry, of the Fybolia Morbihan team.
Hopkins hailed his teammates for executing the team’s strategy and said he was thrilled to earn his maiden win for Vendee U, the Division One development outfit for Team TotalEnergies.
“There were a lot of emotions [after winning stage one],” Hopkins told Bernews. “It was a hard day and some harsh weather conditions. I managed to get through the day without any incidents, and the team worked perfectly together.
“When you’re training hard and putting in the work, it’s always nice when it pays off.
“I had a great team around me, and we played it well tactically throughout.”
Hopkins, who joined Vendee U from Equipo Essax, the elite under-23 team of the Sax Cycling Club in Spain, believes his trio of impressive rides in northern France were a reward for his hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
“Winning breeds confidence, and I carried that into the other stages,” he said. “There were points when the pace was really high, and the other teams were putting the pressure on, but I always felt confident.
“I haven’t been quite at the top of my game, but I have been decently consistent and have been building.
“The next couple of weeks are my biggest goals for the first part of the season. I feel I’m finding the level I need at the right time.”
