Downing wins Grand Prix
A champion's performance by Russell Downing in yesterday's Catlin Hamilton Circuit Race saw the Englishman crowned the overall 2007 CD&P Grand Prix title.
The 28-year-old, a former British National Road Race Champion, edged out his elder brother Dean to claim the honours in the event's final stage; catapulting him above Karl Menzies who had won the three previous stages.
Australian Menzies, who came first in Saturday's Cheerios Dockyard Criterium, finished fifth to hand Downing the prestigious title as the curtain came down on four days of enthralling cycling.
Bermuda's number one Tyler Butterfield managed a creditable 12th place finish in the overall standings, while compatriot Geri Mewett, who took one of the $1,000 primes in the Hamilton Criterium on the opening day, came 16th.
In the women's elite Laura Van Gilder, who won stages three and four, scooped the title ahead of fellow American Karen Brems, while Canadian Felicia Gomez came third.
Peter Dunne, from Bermuda Bicycle Association, praised both Butterfield and Mewett for their performances throughout the grand prix.
"Tyler (Butterfield) rode an excellent race in the Catlin Hamiltion Circuit Race and was in the front pack for almost the entire race. During the final lap at the base of Corkscrew Hill he attacked eventual winner Russell Downing, which exploded the race into life.
"As usual the standard of cyclists was exceptional with Russell Dowing, a British national champion, Laura Van Gilder who has won virtually everything in the North American race calendar and Karen Brems a former world time-trial champion.
"Many of the competitors return to Bermuda every year to race on our beautiful Island. There are a lot of sun-burnt riders enjoying themselves at the awards ceremony and I'm sure they'll be back again."
Butterfield finished 15th and Mewett 12th in yesterday's final stage.
Nathan Amaral took the boy's 11-13 overall prize, Molly Pilgrim the girl's 11-13, and Philip Woolridge topped the 14-16 category. Sophie Adams was the sole competitor in the girl's 14-16, Garth Thomson won the men's open, Ramon Benitez the men's masters and Wendy Ulmer the women's open.