that being able to `three-peat' as he sprinted away with overall honours in the Bermuda Grand Prix cycle race.

Under bright and breezy conditions at the US Naval Annex, Tear managed to shake off the challenge of Mike Lee on the last lap of the 36-mile final stage to win by three seconds in a time of one hour, 34 minutes and three seconds.

Lee (1:34:06) had hung in with Tear throughout on the three-mile loop course but was unable to match Tear on the upgrades or on his final push to the finish line.

"Mike is not too strong on the hills, but he's pretty good on the flat,'' said the victorious Tear after the race. "We slowed to almost a complete stop near the finish, but I have a lot quicker acceleration and by the time he got up to speed I was already gone.'' In fact, Lee was on the champion's heels all weekend, finishing second to Tear in both the Time Trial (six miles) and Criterium (16 miles) held on Saturday.

Said Lee: "He got that little jump on me in the sprint. And once he gets a little gap it's hard to catch up.

"I could have tried to attack him early on but I knew it wouldn't work as he could always get me on the hills.'' Yesterday's race started with Tear and Lee darting to the front from the start and by the second lap a lead group was formed containing the likes of Karl Outerbridge, Damian Wilson, Kevin Topple, Tear and Lee. A second pack saw Earl Pringle, Vic Ball, Earl Godfrey, novice rider Lynn Devine and a few others competing in a game of `cat and mouse.' Wilson dropped from the lead pack -- and out of the race -- after just four laps while Outerbridge and Topple were disposed of for good on an uphill surge by Tear and Lee two laps later. The pair's superior fitness level showed as they continued to pull away from the rest of the field making it a two-horse race.

By the ninth lap, Tear and Lee had created more than a minute advantage over Outerbridge and Topple, who waged war for the third spot, eventually taken by Topple.

Devine (1:40:47) had a strong performance crossing the line fifth followed by Pringle and Vic Ball (1:41:03), who was the first veteran. However, Devine's showing was not enough to topple overnight leader Luke Powell for overall honours.

Earlier, junior rider Trevor Hedges (38:04) showed off his cycling prowess as he beat nearest competitor, brother Kris, by over three minutes with Jesse Horton third.

The final points standings had Tear perched atop the seniors with 360 points, Lee second (314), Outerbridge third (222) and Topple fourth (168). Powell amassed 296 points among the novices trailed by Devine (179) and Alvis Brangman (162).

George Sutherland captured the veteran crown despite arriving late and only managing to complete a few laps in the Road Race. His 210 points topped Peter Smith's 143 and the 104 recorded by Richard Mason. PHOTO TEARING AWAY -- Clark Tear, far left, heads the lead pack as they round the bend at the US Naval Annex early in yesterday's final stage of the Bermuda Grand Prix. Tear went on to capture first-place honours and retain his title. Others pictured from left are Damian Wilson, Kevin Topple, Mike Lee and Karl Outerbridge.