title in the Conyers, Dill & Pearman Grand Prix.

Claude went into yesterday's final stage holding a 33-second lead and rarely looked in danger of letting the title slip from her grip. It was the 38-year-old's biggest victory in her first year concentrating solely on cycling and was a massive confidence boost ahead of the World B Championships in Uruguay in November.

The two best-known pros in the field, Kendra Wenzel of Timex and Laura Van Gilder of Navigators battled out a sprint finish on Front Street for the honours in yesterday's criterium, Wenzel eventually edging Van Gilder into second.

Claude went into yesterday's race with more than a minute's lead over both esteemed riders, earned in the opening two stages on Friday and Saturday. And Claude finished in the chasing pack within 30 seconds of them both to seal a terrific overall victory in front of a home crowd.

Afterwards, Claude, who raced against professionals for the first time only last month in Canada, seemed relieved as much as elated.

"I'm just glad it's over,'' she said. "I was hoping to do really well, but I never expected to win it.

"I think it's great for the Island to see a female competitor beat an international field -- well, I think it's great! "There were some really good riders in the field and when I raced against pros earlier this year, I finished around 14th place. So I'm really surprised to finish first.'' Claude's dramatic improvement this year has coincided with her decision to race against the category three men in the domestic season, rather than dominate the female category without serious competition.

"If it was not for the men letting me race against them, then I would not be where I am today -- they deserve some of the credit,'' added Claude.

"I just hope to maintain this form for the World B's and do well when I'm representing the Island.'' National coach Greg Hopkins, hoarse after commentating on Claude's success over the PA system, was thrilled.

"This is just incredible for Melanie, it's more than she could have hoped for, but she deserved it against a tough field,'' said Hopkins. "Also Julia Hawley rode a great race for Melanie.'' Claude got her tactics spot on yesterday, never letting her closest rivals out of her sight. Both Tina Mayolo of Team Elita and Canada's Sophie St. Jacques started within 36 seconds of Claude, but she stuck with the pair throughout the race.

Van Gilder broke away with eight laps to go and had opened up a gap of more than 20 seconds between herself and the pack when she pulled over with a flat tyre with six laps to go.

As permitted by the rules, the Navigators star was given time to change her wheel and then re-enter the field on the following lap with the same lead she had before the flat.

A lap and a half later, Van Gilder had extended her lead to 27 seconds and Claude's lead started to look fallible.

But hard work at the front of the pack by Claude's Bermuda team-mate Hawley helped to ensure the chasers got no further behind.

Wenzel went after Van Gilder on the last lap and sprinted past her as the pair approached the finishing line, but the real glory went to Claude.

Melanie Claude: Overall female winner in the weekend's CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix.