With a record entry for the National Championships on Sunday, cycling in Bermuda appears to be taking its place as one of the leading sports on the Island as 85 riders lined up on the Southside start line.

As Kris Hedges and Julia Hawley powered their way victory in the top men's and women's fields, there were many other battles being fought on the baking hot roads in both the junior and veterans' categories.

And with the right to be called ‘national champion' as the ultimate prize for the winners in the RMS Construction-sponsored event, the competition was just as hot as the roads.

With an impressive individual performance in the 75-mile race, sponsor Ricky Sousa produced one of the rides of the day as he powered away from the main chase pack in the latter stages. Closing on third place finisher Wayne Scott, and eventually finishing fourth overall to take honours in the Category Three division, the building contractor, who is preparing for the US qualifying Duathlon for the World Championships this weekend in Atlanta, Sousa was doubly happy.

“I was elated because it was a record field of riders, which obviously shows a lot of enthusiasm throughout all the divisions and I was really happy because it's the final tune-up going into next weekend,” said Sousa.

“I worked really well with Andrew Davis and Julia (Hawley) for about 65 miles and felt strong at the end and that I had the legs for the last 20 miles. All round I am pleased.”

Of all the other categories, there was none more competitive than the male veterans for riders over 40 years of age which saw the closest finish of the day with three competitors separated by just inches at the line.

After a furious sprint at the end, fire officer Vic Ball once again took honours in a category he has made his own in recent years, holding off challenges from Peter Dunn and Paulo Medeiros who finished second and third respectively in their 50-mile event.

Said Ball: “Our race stayed together pretty much with the older juniors helping keep the pace moving. It was a bit conservative overall because it was so hot and humid. Peter Dunn and I both tried to break at times but it all came back together for the finish.”

“I was impressed with the way Paul rode and didn't know what he had left at the end but going into the sprint I was confident enough to lead it out.”

In the novice category, Dave Padega overcame Mark Peeters who has dominated the category this year in a sprint finish over their 30-mile event with Clive Hook taking third.

In another competitive race, only nine seconds separated the first four places with the stars of the future battling for the win. In the 38-mile event for boys' 15-16, Khamari Greaves again showed he is the leader of the pack as he beat out Geoffrey Smith, Chayce Smith and Coyatito Smith in that order to take the title.

In the junior 13-14 boys' division, racing for 30 miles proved no problem for Tim Fox as he kept pace with many of the senior riders to win by more than six minutes over Alex McManus and James.E.C Adams.

Other category winners were Marc Smith in the 11-12 boys, beating out Michael Coles and Dorian Armstrong and David Lunn Jr. in the boys' 10 and under with Scott Simms and Vaughn Barritt second and third respectively.

Jean Galloway won the women's Category Three after a crash involving Sue Edney, Dianna Thompson and Kim McMullen decimated the field. Hilary Evams-Turner won women's female novice title over Linda Down and Midge Oliver and Caitlin Conyers beat out Ally Bolton for the girls' 13-14 category. Sophie Adams won the girls' 10 and under.