Evan won January's Front Street Mile. Yesterday at the National Duathlon Championships it was the turn of brother Riaan.

Whether on the run, on the bike or both, it seems the 26-year-old Naude twins are fast making their mark on Bermuda's roads.

There was never much doubt which surname would ultimately be inked in at the top of yesterday's results sheet - only which of the two brothers would get there first.

In the end it was Riaan, although Evan was a mere six seconds behind as the two chartered accountants left the rest of the field in their wake over the two five-kilometre runs sandwiched around a 30-kilometre cycle at Clearwater Beach.

Riaan clocked one hour, 33 minutes, 14 seconds and Evan 1:33.20 with Ricky Sousa, using the race as a tune-up for next weekend US Duathlon Championships in Alabama, placing third some two minutes behind in 1:35.33.

Jason Krupp, who had briefly led the Naudes at the end of the cycle leg, finished fourth in 1:37.14.

Lynn Patchett, like Sousa an entrant in next weekend's US Nationals, claimed a comfortable win among the women, placing seventh overall in 1:38.59.

Evan led the field after the first of yesterday's two run legs but was overhauled on the bike by Riaan who earlier this year had to sit on the sidelines with a torn hamstring and could only watch as his brother took honours among local men in the Front Street Mile.

That injury, however, allowed him to spend more time cycling and it was on that discipline that he managed to edge ahead yesterday.

"There was never much between us, maybe 35 seconds at one stage," said Riaan afterwards. "I tore my hamstring training for the mile so I knew Evan was a bit ahead of me as regards running. But I did a lot of cycling training."

A former junior international in his native South Africa - he represented his country at the world duathlon championships in Italy 1996 - Riaan says his focus this year will likely be on triathlon.

"I actually laid off for a couple of years (after the junior worlds) but when I came over to Bermuda (October, 2001) I started to get into triathlon and today was good training for the triathlon season.

"I'm more of a runner and a cyclist but I decided this was a good place to start triathlon and I'm going to give it a go this year. I'm doing the Gulf Coast Triathlon in Panama City Beach in May, so I've been training for that.

"I think it will be more triathlon than anything else this year but I'm a terrible swimmer, so I'll just be trying to be competitive."

Evan was gracious in defeat, saying afterwards: "Riaan really deserved it today, he was stronger.

"When we were young we were quite competitive. But these days I think we do it more for the enjoyment.

"But we definitely help each other and motivate each other - we train together as much as we can and we try to race together."

Patchett's win among a small female field was virtually assured once triathlon champion Karen Smith opted not to compete as she continues to suffer the effects of a running injury.

But the May 24 champion used the event to good effect as a warm-up to next weekend's US Nationals.

"I'm very happy considering the conditions," said Patchett. "Next week's going to be a lot tougher, it's longer - 8K-60K-8K - and very hilly but I was happy how I performed today.

"I had some tough competition on the bike. I gauged myself on Jason Krupp and a couple of others who I knew were strong cyclists. I knew if I could keep them in sight I'd be having a good ride. It made it a little bit easier to have a steady run. I didn't want to push too hard on the final run, I wanted to save a little bit for next week."

Second among the women was Kim McMullin in 1:49.26 and third Karen Adams in 1:53.23.

In a shorter event for juniors, Geoffrey Smith was a clear winner in the boys' 13-15 race over 2K-10K-2K, clocking 33.45, exactly a minute ahead of Coyatito Smith (34.35) with Khamari Greaves third in 35.53.

Flora Duffy, seventh overall, was the first girl in 38.23 followed by Caitlin Conyers (42.56) and Amy Fox (44.58).

Rick Sousa junior led the 7-12 year-olds over a 1K-5K-1K course in 19.26 with Timothy Fox just behind in 19.35 and Justin Collis third in 19.41.

Kaitlyn Miller led the girls in 21.40 ahead of Ashley Fox (24.16) and Alyssa Rose (25.18).

Full team and individual results, see Scoreboard.