knocked from his perch atop the cycle heap yesterday by the unlikely Whayman Butterfield.

Using the element of surprise to full effect, Butterfield was able to put daylight between himself and the chasing pack just as they passed City Hall in Hamilton at the end of the race.

And he held on to win an exciting sprint finish.

Butterfield broke the tape to rapturous applause in a winning time of 26 minutes, 31 seconds, a mere wheel-length ahead of the hard charging MacInnis Looby, with Packwood a close third.

"It feels good to be victorious today,'' said Butterfield, whose name had rarely been heard as a serious contender during the build-up to the event.

"Experiencing victory has taught me that nothing is impossible. It takes more than just the physical. You need guts and determination as well as support from other people.

"I also thank Jesus, because he made it possible. This is something I'll never forget in my whole career.'' Indeed Butterfield's pre-race prayers were answered, with the moderate early pace allowing him to stay among the lead pack throughout, and not have to force his way along.

After leaving the start line near Naval Field in Somerset an initial breakaway was attempted by Looby at White Hill.

The first-year rider was able to surge to a lead of more than 100 yards before being finally caught heading past Port Royal School.

Dana Henry was next to throw down the gauntlet, pulling away while ascending the steep incline at Waterlot. However, his moment in the spotlight was similarly short-lived as he too was eventually reeled in.

Nearing the city limits several others enjoyed brief periods at the front, including veteran Jeff Payne, Kevin Topple and Clark Tear.

But with none able to maintain any real dominance a final sprint became inevitable, a scenario that appeared to play to the strengths of Packwood, well known for his sprint capabilities.

"Actually it was playing into my hands, I just didn't play my trump card,'' said Packwood. "These guys are just fitter than I am and I may have underestimated Whayman a little.

"When we got into Hamilton I tried to hold back and sit on the wheel of Mike Lee and that turned out to be a bad decision as I let Whayman get too far ahead.

"(But) I can't take anything away from him, he deserved the victory and worked hard coming down.'' Butterfield took the turn onto Cedar Avenue with a 10 yard advantage and hammered home under severe pressure from both Looby and Packwood.

A few more feet and the order might well have been different, but on this day Butterfield was `the man'.

"He got a good start at the top of the hill and because of that was able to hold off at the finish,'' said Looby, who will be leaving the Island for Wyoming this weekend to compete in the Platt Bridge Stage Race.

"It was a miscalculation on my part which allowed him to beat me by five feet.'' Looby said that he would strive to compete again next year and made his intentions clear.

"Anytime I'm at the start my intentions are to win the race, if not I wouldn't be there.'' Meanwhile, Tim Palmer enjoyed a fine outing in the novice division as he took top honours ahead of Shaun Morris and Luke Powell.

Melanie Claude won the female division over Lynne Devine. Duncan Simons was tops in the junior category followed by Chad Townsell and Kris Hedges.

There was still some confusion last night over who won the veteran category with Payne and Vic Ball engaged in a photo finish, and Richard Mason third.

WHAYMAN BUTTERFIELD -- `Experiencing victory has taught me that nothing is impossible...You need guts and determination.'