Created: Jul 05, 2022 08:00 AM
All smiles: Nicholas Narraway on the podium after winning bronze in the men’s road race at the Caribbean Games in Guadeloupe
Nicholas Narraway spoke of his delight after his medal-winning exploits at the Caribbean Games in Guadeloupe.
Narraway helped the Bermuda team — which also included fellow cyclists Liam Flannery and Alexander Miller as well as track and field athletes Mikal Dill and Ryan Outerbridge — close out the Games in style on Sunday after claiming bronze in the men’s road race.
The 20-year-old could not hide his joy, particularly to be leaving the inaugural Games with an extra special memento.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have won a bronze medal,” he said, having finished fifth in the time-trial on Friday. “Especially with it being the first ever Caribbean Games. It feels amazing to be coming away with a medal and something to special to remember it by.
“We didn’t really know what to expect from the Games themselves and so to be able to come away having won a medal for Bermuda is an amazing feeling.”
Reflecting on the race itself, Narraway hailed the pivotal role played by Flannery and Miller in putting him in a position to make a decisive late move to power away from the peloton and chase down the lead four riders, eventually resulting in a sprint finish for second place with Raphael Lautone, of Guadeloupe.
“As a team we had a plan from the outset and we were able to adjust to the different scenarios throughout the race,” he added.
“There were a lot of attacks and as a team we managed to stay in the peloton and then make a decisive move when needed.
“In the end I had to make a call to abandon our original plan because three or four riders had broken away and so it was a case of having to improvise a little.
“There was honestly so much going on in the closing stages but I managed to bridge the gap to the leaders and then seeing a gap, I made my attack. I knew I had to commit at the exact moment and to be able to get on the podium was great in the end.”
Christopher Morales, of Puerto Rico, took the gold medal.
Narraway added: “Road races are all about tactics within a team, and Liam and Alexander were brilliant. We didn’t have a race leader; it was more about playing to our strengths, and as the race went on they put me in an excellent position to challenge at the end.
“It’s always great to be able to have that sort of teamwork in a race and I’m thankful to Liam and Zander [Alexander].
“I also have to thank the Bermuda Olympic Association for opportunities they give us young athletes.”
The medal success came as a timely boost for Narraway, who is preparing to represent the island at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, this month.
Narraway, one of four cyclists alongside Caitlin Conyers, Conor White and Kaden Hopkins, joins the Bermuda contingent, headed up by Dame Flora Duffy, and including her fellow triathletes Tyler Butterfield, Erica Hawley and Tyler Smith, as well as track athletes Caitlyn Bobb, Tiara DeRosa, Sakari Famous, Dage Minors and Jah-Nhai Perinchief, swimmers Emma Harvey, Madelyn Moore and Jack Harvey, and squash player Emma Keane.
While conceding to feeling slightly nervous at the prospect of facing a field of some the world’s elite cyclists, he is also relishing the opportunity to represent Bermuda at such a high level, in what promises to a memorable experience.
“I couldn’t have asked for any better preparation for the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “It’s going to be massive experience racing against some of the world’s best riders, but the bronze medal has given me a bit of a confidence boost.
“It’s definitely a little nerve-racking but I’m also really excited to be going to the Commonwealth Games. I competed at the World Championships and the atmosphere was amazing, but I know this is going to be on another level.
“Hopefully, just like at the Caribbean Games, we can work as a team in some of the races. Conor is such a powerful rider and Kaden is incredibly versatile, so hopefully we can work as a unit and give it good go because we know we are strong enough as a team.”
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