Matthew Oliveira of Winners Edge lapped the rest of the field on his way to capturing his first victory of the road racing season yesterday at the Team Tokio criterium around Victoria Park in Hamilton.

Competing in the Adult A category, Oliveira jumped from the gun and went solo for virtually the entire 45 minutes. Once he caught the field he was able to comfortably sit at a sustainable pace while the remaining riders fought for second place.

In the end it was Darren Glasford of Winners Edge edging out Kwame Curling Madison Digicel for the second spot.

In the Adult B race, Ricky Smith of Winners Edge led the group sprint after 40 minutes of racing, less than a tenth of a second ahead of McQuinn Burch of Bicycle Works who was followed by Sean Dickinson.

The Adult C race was taken by veteran Paulo Medeiros of Winners Edge ahead of a string of teenagers including Ben Edwards and Ziani Burgesson who came second and third.

Sarah Bonnett of Madison Digicel raced to victory in the women’s group, beating Karen Smith of Winners Edge who was followed by Wenda Roberts of Bicycle Works.

The new Novice Women category had their first event which started with some demonstration of racing skills and tactics before a short seven lap race.

Louise Wells and CorraLee Stoarzomski, both of MisFits, took an early lead and held it to the line with Wells getting the first win in this new group series.

Third place went to their team-mate Frances Betts.

The new category was the brainchild of Wenda Roberts and April Galda Joyce.

Roberts said the race series was an “exciting way for ladies to learn and get hands on experience in cycle racing.”

Novice riders can still register to take part in the four races that remain, with a fee of $20 payable on race day. The next race will be on May 1, with others following on May 15, 19, and the final race on June 5.

The Junior A victory was claimed by Caleb Ingham, followed by Liam Flannery and Alex Southern in second and third. Blake Oliveira took the Junior B race ahead of Nicholas Narraway and Manning Smith.

The Butterfield Bermuda Grand Prix begins on Friday evening in St George’s.