VT Construction/Madison rider Jamie Cousins clinched a maiden victory in the annual Presidents Cup after a powerful two-man effort assisted by junior Nic Narraway on Sunday.

The race which takes in a full 100 kilometre circuit of the island was billed as another opportunity for Dominique Mayho to demonstrate his dominance and to create a window for the juniors to shine through.

Leaving St George after approximately 25 kilometres, a lead breakaway including Cousins, Mayho, Narraway, Alexander Miller and Caitlin Conyers and quickly established a gap of over a minute on the chasing peloton.

With the strong tailwind pressing the riders westward, it proved to be the winning move.

Unfortunately, as the pace at the front eased slightly on Shark Hole Hill, a brief touch of wheels by Miller brought him down quickly and Conyers as well.

Mayho stopped to check on Conyers while Cousins and Narraway continued and formed the winning pair.

Though Mayho eventually rejoined the chase, the wind was out of his sails and the lead duo continued to expand their advantage.

Coming into the final stretch on Harbour Road, Cousins was able to out-power his younger rival to take the victory and the silver cup.

Mayho came home in third on his own and junior Liam Flannery won the sprint from the remnants of the peloton, including impressive pre-juniors Moses Johnson and Cameron Morris. Conyers, despite her crash was able to eventually continue and completed the course though in pain.

The first woman across the finish line was Maddie Durkin who was able to work with the second chase group to secure the top spot on the women’s podium with Ashley Couper in second and Nicole Mitchell rounding out the top three.

This was the final road race of the BBA’s 2019 calendar.

Mountain bike racing will commence in November and continue through March with a seven-race series, national championships and a long endurance event of 50 kilometres.